The Cormorant's Pose
Why does a cormorant pose like an emble- matic eagle or vulture between spells of diving for fish ? Before it sets its wings in the spread position it usually beats them to and fro as though doing its best to shake the pinions free of water. They seem to be able to hold the position almost indefinitely and one becomes accustomed to glancing along a rocky shore and taking them for part of the scenery. The other day I read an article by a naturalist who suggested that the wing- spread pose of the cormorant is due not to his need to dry his wings, since, like others of his kind, he is well-enough oiled to be able to shed water, but to relieve the pressure on his stomach when he has over-loaded himself with fish. I am not sure about this. I know
cormorants can take an extraordinary amount of fish but are they surfeited every time they stand posing ? Not all water birds are waterproof. Even a duck can sink if for some reason the oil on its plumage is broken down by detergent. A bird that spends so much of its time diving and swimming may like to dry out now and then.
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