162 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
most distinguished. It resorts every spring to the 
islets of Labrador, after sojourning for the winter 
on the eastern coasts. In long lines, sometimes 
forming angles, it hovers close over the waters in 
its Hight. Occasionally it may be seen to sail in a 
beautiful manner at a considerable height above 
the surface. In order to rise from the water, 
in which it sinks so as to be covered when 
swimming, it runs beating the waves as it goes 
for many yards, as though to receive an impetus 
before it mounts on wing. It is fond of sun 
ning itself with extended wings, when the glossy 
blended plumage of this beautiful bird, shining 
in the light, is seen to great advantage. Though 
differing in size, as well as in the structure of its 
plumage, it closely resembles the cormorant of’ 
Florida. It has another temporary distinction 
during the breeding season, in the crest or tuft, 
which consists of a single line of feathers curved 
downwards. 
The Florida cormorant is a constant resident 
in the country after which it is named. Occa- 
sionally it proceeds as far as Cape Hatteras, 
Seldom venturing out far to sea, or. over land, 
it is found in bays and inlets, always thus fol- 
lowing the windings of the shores, though its 
course should be extended in this way to three 
times the necessary length for reaching a given 
spot. This is the only one of its kind observed 
