CORMORANT AND OTHER DIVERS 31 



pollack, cod or bass are attracted to their 

 destruction. 



The cormorant also hunts his prey while he 

 .swims on the surface. When the bird fishes in 

 this manner he dips his head below the water 

 and swims forward with it submerged ; he then 

 raises the head, looks round, and dips it down 

 again. These manoeuvres are continued until 

 he sees a fish, when he dives and gives chase. 



The three top photographs on the plate 

 facing page 32 — taken from a cinematograph 

 film — illustrate the movements of the head. 



The bottom illustration on the same plate 

 shows the " flash " from the head of the cor- 

 morant, as seen from below the water, while 

 he was swimming as described,; 



I would suggest that when a pollack sees such 

 a "flash" from the head of a cormorant it 

 suddenly turns and, in turn, flashes. The cor- 

 morant detects the " flash " of the fish, instantly 

 draws up his legs under his breast, expands his 

 large webbed feet, gives one powerful stroke 

 downwards, tips up, and disappears with a swirl 

 below the surface. A chase ensues, but the 

 pollack signals his course as he turns in his 

 endeavours to escape, and it is not long before 



