Sometimes the Cormorant swims slowly along with his head under water, on
the watch for small fish. Seeing one below him, he dives like a flash,
and can remain under water for some time; he wastes very little time,
however, in swallowing his victim head first.
The great skill of this bird has been made use of, and tame Cormorants
are used in China to obtain fish for their masters. They have been used
in England, too, for the same purpose. A strap is placed round the
bird's neck to prevent him from swallowing the catch. He is then set to
work. After catching five or six fish he is recalled by his master, and
made to disgorge his prey, which, of course, he has swallowed as far as
the strap will permit.
The Cormorant is famous for his large appetite; he chases even big fish,
of a size to choke him, you would think. Like his relative the Pelican,
he owns a very elastic throat. I have seen a Pelican put a half-grown
duck in its pouch, without much trouble. The Cormorant could not perform
this feat, but his throat will stretch so as to allow the passage of
large fish. Small fish he usually tosses up in the air, catches them
neatly head first, and swallows them whole.
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