366 NATATORES. 



three or four in number, of a whitish colour, rather rough 

 on the surface, and not large in proportion to the size of 

 the bird. 



The cormorant is subject to some changes both with the 

 season and with age. In winter, the crest feathers, which 

 are never very much produced, drop off, as do also most 

 of the white feathers on the neck and the outsides of the 

 thighs ; the upper plumage also fades to a dull brownish 

 black. The young are without the crest and the white 

 feathers, and are browner than the old ones in their winter 

 or faded plumage.* 



* The cormorant (Phalacrocorax carlo, Auct.) is distributed through- 

 out Europe, Asia, and North America. It breeds on our shores. The 

 cormorant swims so low in the water, that nothing but the head, neck, 

 and top of the back appears above the surface ; its tail, composed of stiif 

 elastic feathers, is submerged, and used as a rudder in its subaqnatic 

 evolutions, while the wings serve the office of oars. The address with 

 which it dives, and the rapidity of its movements, are wonderful ; nor 

 less so the pertinacity with which its pursues its victims. The cormorant 

 is easily tamed, and becomes very docile. Formerly, it was trained to 

 fish, and to bring its prey to its keeper. Whitelock tells us that he had 

 a cast of them, manned like hawks, which would come to the hand ; and 

 states that the best he had were presented to him by Mr. .Wood, master 

 of the cormorants to King Charles the First. Trained cormorants were 

 imported from Holland to England. In China, at the present day, an 

 allied species, Ph. sirensis, is trained to fishing. Sir George Staunton, 

 who observed them on the southern branch of the canal, in his journey 

 to Han-choo-foo, says : " On a large lake close to this part of the canal, 

 and to the eastward of it, are thousands of small boats and rafts, built 

 entirely for this species of fishing. On each boat or raft are ten or a 

 dozen birds, which, at a signal from the owner, plunge into the water, 

 and it is astonishing to see the enormous size of the fish with which they 

 return grasped between their bills." 



The shii displays all the manners of the comorant. It is, however, 

 not found in America, but is widely spread over the north of Europe. 

 Both arc unwearied, active fishers, pursuing their prey beneath the water, 

 like the otter, occasionally rising to take breath, and renewing the chase. 

 The gullet is wonderfully dilatable. M. 



