148 TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEGANOrODES. 



and thence northward, in which region it was seen roosting in flocks on the date- 

 trees. He thinks it was breeding near Manfloot. 



Mr. K. Swinhoe states that he found this Cormorant somewhat abundant on the 

 rocks about Formosa, and also in Soutliern China, during the winter. Early in the 

 spring it assembled in flocks, and seemed to be moving southward. He also states 

 that birds of this species are tamed by the Chinese, and taught to catch fish for the 

 benefit of their owners. In this state of domestication they become subject to great 

 variations in their plumage. Mr. Swinhoe also found them common during the 

 winter at Amoy. They assembled there also in large flocks, preparatory to leaving 

 to pass the summer months elsewhere. Mr. H. Whitely mentions procuring two 

 examples of this species at Hakodadi, in Japan, in December. Messrs. Blakiston 

 and Pryer also speak (" Ibis," 1878, p. 21G) of seeing great numbers roosting in some 

 trees at Babasaka, in the centre of Tokio. They were seen flying over that city to 

 their roosting-place in immense V-shaped lines, three, and even four, hundred yards 

 long. This species was also found far inland in Yamoto, on the mountain streams, 

 feeding on trout. It was seen on the coast of Yezo, and also at Yokohama. 



A single specimen was obtained by Captain Hutton (" Ibis," 1871) among the 

 Chatham Islands, about five hundred miles east of New Zealand. 



This species is not mentioned by Gosse as having been found in Jamaicn., nor by 

 Dr. Gundlach as occurring in Cuba. Leotaud, however, states — but doubtless erro- 

 neously — that it is a migratory visitant of Trinidad, coming each year at the close 

 of July. 



In Great Britain, according to Yarrell, this bird is known as the Great Cormorant, 

 or Black Cormorant ; and is there found in considerable numbers on the rock}'' por- 

 tions of the entire coast. For their breeding-stations they seem to prefer the higher 

 parts of rocky cliffs, where many individuals of this species congregate harmoniously 

 together. There they make large nests composed of sticks, with a mass of seaweed 

 and long coarse grass. They lay from four to six eggs, which are small compared 

 with the size of the bird. The eggs are oblong in shape, alike at both ends, rough 

 externally in texture, and of a chalky- white color, varied with pale blue; they are 

 2.75 inches in length, and 1.63 inches in their breadth. Upon an island near Castle 

 Martyr, belonging to the Earl of Shannon, in Ireland, the nests of more than eighty 

 Cormorants are said to have been counted in a single season, on Scotch fir-trees not 

 under sixty feet in height, Avhere the}'^ securely raised their young. Rev. Dr. Lub- 

 bock also states that this bird in some seasons has been known to nest in trees near 

 Fritton, in Norfolk. Mr. Malherbe also states that it breeds in the marshes in 

 Sicily, in trees. This mode of nesting is probably abnormal, having been caused by 

 persecution. 



According to Selby, the young bird of this sjiecies, when first excluded, is blind, 

 and covered with a bluish-black skin. In a few days it acquires a thick covering of 

 black down, and in the space of three weeks, though still unable to fly, it is sufficiently 

 fledged to take to the water. 



The Cormorant flies with great rapidity and vigor, usually near the surface of the 

 water. It can swim with great rapidity, and has no superior in diving. It can 

 catch its food — which consists of fish — Avith great ease, and which it holds securely 

 with the sharp hooked horny points of its upper mandible. Its throat admits of being 

 greatly dilated, so that it is able to swallow a fish of large size. It stations itself on 

 a post, a projecting rock, or a leafless branch near the water, in a position where its 

 powers of vision enable it to discover a passing fish, upon which it pounces with a 

 never-failing aim. 



