416 



THE COMMON CORMORANT. 



satisfied with less frequent trimming, and go through the operation only 

 once a-day, at the warmest period. I never observed any of these birds in 

 their natural free state perform these actions in rainy or even cloudy weather, 

 but have frequently seen Cormorants in a state of captivity do so on small 

 artificial ponds, such as those of the London Zoological Gardens. 



When they have landed after cleansing themselves by washing, they 

 usually extend their wings, and flap them for awhile, in the manner of young 

 birds of any kind when trying the strength of their wings before leaving the 

 nest. They are extremely regular in returning to the same places to roost, 

 at the approach of night, when hundreds appear to congregate on their way 

 there, as they pass over the different fishing grounds. Those that have no 

 broods, spend the night apart from the rest, standing nearly erect in files on 

 the most elevated shelves, to which they ascend in the manner of some 

 Hawks, when about to perch on any elevated spot. In winter, however, I 

 observed some near Boston roosting singly, and immediately over their 

 fishing places, which are usually the eddies under the projecting points of 

 rocky islands. They are shy and wary at all periods; but when congregated 

 in the day, it is almost impossible to approach them while fishing, for they 

 dive and return to the surface one after another, so that one or more are 

 constantly on the watch, and act as sentinels. It is in general quite useless 

 to pursue one that has been wounded. 



The flight of this species is strong, swift, and remarkably sustained. They 

 usually fly in long strings, now and then forming angles, at a moderate 

 elevation in the air. When on the rocks, they stand erect on their rump, 

 with the neck gracefully curved, and resting between the shoulders. You 

 may see them in hundreds, when they look like a crowd of black dominoes. 

 If alarmed, they extend their neck to its full length, and move their head 

 sideways to observe your motions; and if you approach them, they gradually 

 raise and extend their wings, elevate the tail, incline the body forwards, and 

 fly off in silence. 



All our Cormorants feed principally on fish of various kinds. When they 

 have seized one that is too large to be swallowed entire, they carry it to the 

 shore, or to the branch of a tree, and there thrash and tear it to pieces. 

 Some fishes which they have swallowed evidently incommode them, and on 

 such occasions I have sometimes seen them shake their heads with great 

 violence, and disgorge the fish, or pass it downwards into the stomach. The 

 young ones which we kept several weeks at Labrador, performed both 

 actions, but generally the first. All the species are expert at tossing up a 

 fish inconveniently caught, a foot or so above their head, and receiving it in 

 their extended gullet, in the same manner as the Frigate Pelican. Some 

 which I have observed in a domesticated state, were so expert at receiving a 



