COMMON^ CORMORANT. 



81 



part of the pond without obtaining a single fish, it 

 appeared to be convinced there were none, and never 

 made any other attempt for three days, during the 

 whole of which time it was crammed with flesh, not 

 being able to procure any fish.'*— It lives in per- 

 fect harmony with a Whistling Swan, a Bernicle 

 Goose, various sorts of Ducks, and other birds ; but 

 if it perceive a Gull with a piece of fish, it immedi- 

 ately gives chase ; if, however, the Gull has time to 

 swallow it, no resentment is offered ; the sight of it 

 created the desire of possession, and that desire ceases 

 with its disappearance. If it get out, it never attempts 

 to ramble, but, walking direct to the house, enters 

 the first open door without deference to any one, 

 regardless even of a dog, and in fact is troublesomely 

 tame." 



The specimen of which the above is related was 

 captured in the British Channel in the spring of 1808, 

 and at that period its plumage was in the state de- 

 scribed and figured by Bewick as the Crested Cor- 

 morant ; but after its autumnal moulting it became 

 that of the common species, thereby putting the 

 identity of the two supposed species beyond a doubt. 



V. XIIT. p. I. 



6 



