OllDEll PALMIPEDES. 1)51 



pouches of these birds have also been used to hold tobacco ; 

 and this skin, when dressed, becomes, it is said, as soft as 

 that of a lamb. Shot pouches, sailors' caps, 8ec. are also 

 made of it, and the fishermen of the Nile make vessels of it 

 to empty their boats of the water, preserving the bones of 

 the jaw. 



It is said that the pelican of Europe is not subject to a 

 double moulting ; the yovmg, however, differ much from the 

 old, and do not assume the plumage of the adult for many 

 years. There is scarcely any difference between the sexes. 



The CoRvoRANTs are found in all parts of the globe, and 

 are equally good divers and swimmers. When they swim, 

 they frequently have the head alone out of the water ; and 

 in diving, they pursue with the most astonishing swiftness the 

 prey which they have perceived, and which seldom succeeds in 

 escaping them. When they have taken it they return to the 

 surface, and to swallow it the more easily, they throw it into 

 the air, and receive the head, so that the fins may incline in 

 the passage of the gullet, while the membranous skin in- 

 clines so as to let pass the entire body of the fish, which is 

 often very large, in proportion to the neck of the bird. In 

 many places, but more especially in China, corvorants have 

 been employed in fishing, a ring being put on the lower part 

 of the neck to prevent them from swallowing the fish, which 

 they are taught to bring back to their master. 



They usually inhabit the borders of the sea and the mouths 

 of rivers, and feed on various kinds of fish. When their 

 appetite is sated, they perch on trees, like other birds of 

 similar palmation. They have a double moulting. 



The Commoji Corvorant is frequent in England, France, 

 and Holland, but more rare in Germany and the south. Ac- 

 cording to its localities, it nestles in the clefts of rocks, on 

 trees, or in reeds, and lays three or four eggs, of a pale green. 

 These eggs are as ill-tasted as tlie flesh, which is very bad. 

 These birds usually inhabit the sea coast ; but when they 



