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Wilson's Stormy Petrel — Part 3
Images coming soon.
Cormorants
(Family Phalacrocoracidae)
More than half of all the birds of the order of fully webbed swimmers are cormorants; found in all parts of the world; but of these we have only one, commonly found in the United States around bodies of fresh water inland as well as off the Atlantic coast. Cormorants nest in great colonies and are gregarious at all times. The Chinese have turned their abnormal appetite for fish to good account, by partly domesticating their common species, putting a tight collar around the bird's throat to prevent it from swallowing its prey, and then sending it forth to hunt for its master.
Birds of this family are strong fliers, and although they keep rather close to the water when fishing, often pursuing their game below the surface, they fly high in serried ranks, a few birds deep, but in a long line, during the migrations.
The hooked bill that helps hold a slippery fish secure; the iridescent black and brown plumage, which is the same in both sexes; and certain special featherings of a temporary character that are worn during the nesting season only, are among the most noticeable characteristics of this family.
Double-crested Cormorant.
CORMORANTS
(Family Phalacrocoracidae)