Gene Jarvis: White-breasted Cormorant

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

The White-breasted Cormorant is one of the most interesting bird species living on the coast of Africa. These waterbirds have bodies that are well adapted for swimming underwater and their plumage is permeable by water so the bird can dive easily. Some scientists believe that when fishing in salt water, Cormorants will even swallow small stones to increase their specific gravity for quicker diving. In the water, a natural diving mask made of transparent membrane moves over the Cormorant's eyes from front to back, allowing the bird to see underwater. His legs are positioned far to the rear of his body and when he uses them to propel himself, his jerky motions give the impression he is flapping his wings underwater. These birds are such good fishermen that in some parts of Asia and Africa, man has tamed the Cormorants to fish for him. The men tie long cords to the birds to keep them from flying away with their catch and they fit metal rings around their throats to prevent the birds from swallowing the fish. These birds sit on the boat's edge searching the waters for prey. When a fish is sighted, they dive, and soon return and deliver their catch to the fisherman. In some areas, this fishing bird is considered an enemy of the fishing industry since it eats the fish of the sea. However, this is largely unfounded for Cormorants usually eat fish not valued by fisheries and they also eliminate sick and inferior fish.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the South-west Africa 15¢ White-breasted Cormorant stamp issued May 4, 1979.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05277

US$ Price: $950.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-287-4079 from throughout U.S. and Canada.