2380 POPULAR SORIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

dexterity, dropping down from a great height on their prey,
diving with astonishing rapidity, and emerging with the
fish across the bill. They toss it into the air with a peculiar
jerk, and catching it head foremost, swallow the poor victim
whole. In some places the cormorant moves inland, to
lakes or large rivers, and in these situations is seen stand-
ing or nestling on trees.

These birds have been tamed in various countries, and
trained to fish for the benefit of man; in England they
were hoodwinked like falcons, and a leather thong placed
round their necks, to prevent them swallowing the fish.

Mr. Waterton’s description of these singular birds is so
graphic and interesting that I shall present it to my readers.

“The cormorants,” he observes, “often pay me a visit
in the winter season ; and could they but perceive that there
is safety for them here, and great danger elsewhere, they
would remain with me while the water is unfrozen. But
they wander, unfortunately, through parts where protection
is not afforded them; and, being outlandish birds in the
eyes of the neighbouring gamekeepers, they are immediately
shot at: those which find their way here, are so uncon-
scious of danger, that, after they have spent a considerable
portion of time in diving for fish, they will come and