216 ZOOLOGY. 



more than in other birds by a large number of much sub- 

 divided air-cells under the skin of the body. 



The pelican is remarkable for the large, loose pouch on 

 the under jaw, capalde of holding several quarts, or several 

 hundred small fishes. In the East Indies, pelicans are 

 tamed and nscd by the natives in fishing, as is the cor- 

 morant in China, while in early times it was in England. 



The cormorants are very gregarious, and breed in great 

 numbers in the northern regions on cliffs overhanging the 



Fig. 254.— Sooty Albatrosa. 



sea. Their nests are rude and bulky. They feed mainly 

 upon fish, and are notoriously voracious. The conmion 

 cormorant or shag (Oraculus carlo) bi-ecds in great num- 

 bers in Labrador and Newfoundland. It is glo.^sy greenish 

 black in summer, with numerous white jilnmes on the head 

 and neck. 



The darter, snake bird, or anhinga {Plofus anJiinga) is 

 common in the South Atla,ntic and Gulf States; it has a 

 long snake-like neck, and can swim a long distance under 

 water. The gannet or solan goose (Snlaiassana) breeds in 



