The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It’s to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.
They look like Shags. They have a fine bill, and a step between the forehead and the bill. Cormorants have a heavier bill and the forehead-bill gradient change is much less.
Feel inspired to quote a something in similar genre by James Fenton, as quoted by Redmond O’Hanlon-
“The Butcher Bird, or Red-backed Shrike
Should not be trusted with your bike.
The pump and lights he’ll steal away
And use the spokes to spike his prey.”
{ 6 comments }
Alan White 10.23.17 at 2:14 am
Another great framing and perspective, making the most of the light on that quay.
Charles 10.23.17 at 2:37 am
It’s not a cormorant, it’s not a shag,
It’s only something in a plastic bag.
JRLRC 10.23.17 at 4:21 pm
I agree with Alan.
A cormorant posing in Tabasco, México: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138328836@N06/32812747143/in/album-72157677899079091/
Guano 10.23.17 at 5:41 pm
The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It’s to keep the lightning out.
But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.
Christopher Isherwood, I believe.
Dipper 10.24.17 at 2:57 pm
They look like Shags. They have a fine bill, and a step between the forehead and the bill. Cormorants have a heavier bill and the forehead-bill gradient change is much less.
Peter Hovde 10.24.17 at 3:45 pm
Feel inspired to quote a something in similar genre by James Fenton, as quoted by Redmond O’Hanlon-
“The Butcher Bird, or Red-backed Shrike
Should not be trusted with your bike.
The pump and lights he’ll steal away
And use the spokes to spike his prey.”
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