THE CORMORANT.

Tus large, uncouth and gluttonous
bird is abundant in the warm and tem-
perate regions of the globe, though sel-
dom found far inland. It is a skilful and
voracious fisher, committing great havoc
when it visits pools and lakes. Swim-
ming beneath the water with great swift-
ness, and remaining a long time sub-
merged, its prey scarcely ever escapes.
On rising with a fish in its bill, the Cor-
morant employs the expedient of tossing
it in the air, catching the head in its de-
scent, so that the fins lie flat, and thus
favor the passage down the throat. The

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