392 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
feathers not being quite impervious to the water, 
they do not remain very long upon it at a time^ 
but are frequently feen flying about, or fitting on 
the fliorej flapping the moifture from their wings, 
or keeping them for fome time expanded to dry in 
the fun and the wind. Notwithftanding the ftrong 
and offenfive fmell emitted from the JShags and the 
Corvorants, fome inflances are not wanting of their 
having been eaten by people in this country, but 
before they are cooked, they mufl: undergo a cer- 
tain fweetening procefs, part of which confifts in 
their being firft fkinned and drawn, and then wrap- 
ped up in a clean cloth, and buried for fome time 
in the earth ; after which they are made ready for 
eating in various ways, though generally potted like 
Moorgame. 
