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Range (Tropical and subtropical) (III)

Tropical and subtropical America; breeds as far north as southern Illinois and South Carolina; winters from the Gulf States southward. Nest, of sticks lined with moss, rootlets, etc., over the water in a bush or tree. Eggs, two to four, bluish white with a chalky deposit, 2-15 × 1.35. This singular bird is common in the Gulf States. It has the habits of other members of this small family.

CORMORANTS.

FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDE.

CORMORANTS.

Cormorants are found in all parts of the world. Ten of the thirty known species inhabit North America. As a rule they are maritime, but they also frequent bodies of fresh water far from the seacoast. They are gregarious at all times of the year and breed in large colonies. Their flight is strong and ducklike, but, except when migrating, is generally not far above the surface of the water. They secure their food of fish by pursuing it under water, their hooked bill assisting them in its capture. Unlike the Gannets, they do not dive from the air, but from the water or a low perch. 119. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.). CORMORANT; SHAG. (See Fig. 10.) Ad. in breeding plumage.-Region about the base of the lower mandible white or whitish; head, upper neck, and throat glossy black, thickly sprinkled with white; rest of the neck, under parts, and rump glossy black; a white patch on the flanks; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts light olive-brown, each feather bordered by glossy black; tail black, composed of fourteen feathers. Ad. in winter.-Similar, but without white on the head. Im.-Top of the head and hind neck brownish black; upper back, scapulars, and wing-coverts grayish brown, the feathers bordered by blackish; rump glossy black; throat and breast grayish brown, changing to white on the belly; sides and under tail-coverts glossy black. L., 36.00; W., 14:00; T., 7.00; B., 3.00.

Range." Coasts of the North Atlantic, south in winter on the coast of the United States casually to the Carolinas" (A. O. U.). Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to northern Greenland.

Long Island, regular T. V. in limited numbers.

Nest, of sticks and seaweed, in colonies generally on the ledges of rocky cliffs. Eggs, four to six, pale bluish white, more or less overlaid with a chalky deposit, 2.50 x 1.50.

This northern species is of uncommon occurrence on our coast south of its breeding range. 120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Sw. and Rich.). DOUBLE-CRESTED