PLATE CXXXIII. 



The Coryorant meafures three feet in length, in breadth four feet, 

 and weighs feven pounds. 



Towards the northern parts qf Europe thefe birds are more abund-* 

 ant than in the fouth. They breed in Kamtfchatka, Greenland, Ice» 

 land, and other countries of the north, and from their habits of life 

 are almofl conflantly found contiguous to the fea. Their breeding- 

 places are the higheft and moft inacceflible cliffs impending over the 

 fea fhore. It does not appear that they evince much ingenuity in the 

 formation of a neft, and they lay only about three or four eggs, which 

 are the fize of thofe of a goofe, and of a pale green colour. The 

 Corvorant is an exXremely voracious bird, an<l preys chiefly on fifh, 

 in purfuit of which it is continually feen fwimming and darting into 

 the water. The flefh is very incjifferent, and eaten only by the 

 Greenlanders, who, however, are by no means partial to it, and 

 their eggs are fo difgufting that they are never eaten. The ikins, in 

 common with thofe of moft other birds, furnifh the natives with an 

 article of drefs. In Britain the Corvorant is yn^ommon on the 

 fouthern coaft, but is flill more abundant on the fea coafta of the 

 northern counties. 



In China the Corvorant is trained up for the purpofe o£ filhing, 

 in which employ they are very ufeful to the filhermen ; many of 

 whom keep feveral of them, and derive a good livelibood from their 

 labours. Thefe birds are taught to plunge into the water at their 

 mailer's command, and feize the fifh in his bill, or with the bill and 

 talons together, and bring it to his raafter ; or if the fifh be too large, 

 two of the Coryorants afBft each other. To enfute obedience, it h 

 liowever necefTary to faften a ring round their necks, which prevent* 

 them horn fv;allowing their prize ; and when the. bufinefs of fifhing 

 is over for the day, the roafler takes ofFihe ring, and rewards them 



Ivith 



