THE CORMORANT. 287 



Description Strength of flight. 



into a hook ; in the lower mandible there is a 

 naked yellowish pouch; the tail is 'about five 

 inches long, composed of hard stiff feathers, and 

 the legs are strong and thick, but very short. 

 The male has the feathers under the chin white, 

 arid likewise a short loose pendent crest ; and 

 part of the wings is sometimes of a deep and 

 glossy blue green. 



But notwithstanding the seeming heaviness of 

 its make, there are few birds can exceed it in 

 power of wing, or strength of flight. As soon as 

 the winter approaches they are seen dispersed 

 along the sea shore, and ascending up the mouth* 

 of fresh-water rivers, carrying destruction to all 

 the finny tribe. They are most remarkably vo- 

 racious, and have a most sudden digestion. Their 

 appetite is for ever craving, and never satisfied. 

 This gnawing sensation may probably be in- 

 creased by the great quantity of small worms that 

 fill their intestines, and which their unceasing 

 gluttony contributes to engender. 



Thus formed with the grossest appetites, this 

 unclean bird has a very rank and disagreeable 

 smell, and is more foetid, than even carrion, in its 

 most healthful state. Their flesh is so very dis- 

 gusting, that even the Greenlanders (among 

 whom they are very common) will scarcely eat 

 them. {f Its form," says the ingenious Mr. Pen- 

 nant, " is disagreeable; its voice is hoarse and 

 croaking; and all its qualities obscene. No won- 

 der then that Milton should make Satan per- 

 ionate this bird, when he sent him upon the 



