The Bird Book Part 14

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[Ill.u.s.tration 082: Walter Raine.

NESTS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.]

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120a. FLORIDA CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus florida.n.u.s._

This sub-species is a common breeding bird in the swamps and islands of the Gulf coast and north to South Carolina and southern Illinois. The nests are placed in the mangroves in some of the most impenetrable swamps and are composed of twigs and lined with leaves or moss. They lay three or four chalky bluish white eggs. Size 2.30 1.40. Data.--Bird Is., Lake Kissimee, Florida, April 5, 1898. Three eggs. Nest made of weeds and gra.s.s, in a willow bush.

120b. WHITE-CRESTED CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus._

Range.--Northwestern coast of North America, breeding in Alaska, and south to the northern boundary of the United States, breeding both in the interior and on the coast, in the former case generally on the ground or in low trees on swampy islands and in the latter, on the rocky cliffs of the coasts and islands. The nests are built in the same fashion as the other Cormorants, and the three to five eggs are similar.

Size 2.45 1.40.

120c. FARALLON CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus._

Range.--This sub-species breeds on the coasts and islands of California and southward.

In company with other species of Cormorants, these birds breed in large numbers on the Farallones, placing their nests well up on the higher ridges and rocks. They breed most abundantly during May. When nesting on the inland islands, they place their nests in low bushes. Their nests and eggs are similar to those of the other Cormorants. Size 2.40 1.50.

Data.--Farallones, California. Nest of weeds and seaweed on the rocks.

Collector, W. O. Emerson.

121. MEXICAN CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax vigua mexica.n.u.s._

Range.--Breeds abundantly from southern Texas, south through Mexico; north rarely to Kansas; has recently been found breeding in limited number on some of the Bahamas. In the interior they nest in trees, chiefly those overhanging or growing in the water. On the coasts they nest on the rocky ledges, as do the other Cormorants. They nest in colonies building their abode of twigs and weeds, and during May laying three or four eggs, greenish white in color and chalky, as are all the Cormorants. Size 2.25 1.35.

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

[Ill.u.s.tration 083: Greenish white.]

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122. BRANDT'S CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax penicillatus._

Range.--Pacific coast breeding along the whole coast of the United States.

This species is found more abundantly on the Farallones than is the Farallone Cormorant. Like the other Cormorants breeding on these islands, these cling closely to their nests, for fear of being robbed by the Gulls, that are ever on the watch to steal either eggs or young.

Their nesting habits and eggs are identical with those of the other species. Size 2.50 1.50. Data.--Bird Island, California, May 24, 1885.

A very bulky nest of seaweed on the rocks. Collector, A. M. Ingersoll.

123. PELAGIC CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus._

Range.--Coast of Alaska.

These are perhaps the most beautiful species of Cormorants, having brilliant violet green metallic reflections and, in the breeding plumage, crests on the forehead and nape, as well as large white flank patches. They breed in large colonies on the Aleutian Islands, placing their nests of sticks and sea mosses on the rocky ledges, often hundreds of feet above the sea level. Three or four eggs are laid during May and June. The young birds when hatched are naked and black, and are repulsive looking objects, as are those of all the other Cormorants. The eggs are greenish white with the usual calcareous deposit. Size 2.30 1.40.

123a. VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus._

This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the Aleutian Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the rocky islands. The eggs are the same size as those of the preceding.

123b. BAIRD'S CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens._

This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Washington south to Mexico. They nest on the Farallones, but in smaller numbers than the other varieties found there. Both the birds and their eggs are smaller than the preceding. Size of eggs 2.20 1.40.

124. RED-FACED CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax urile._

Range.--Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to j.a.pan in the winter.

This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having the forehead bare. They do not differ in their breeding habits from others of the family. That the Cormorants are expert fishermen may be seen from the fact that the Chinese tame and have them catch fish for them, placing a ring around their neck to prevent their swallowing the fish. Their nesting places are very filthy, being covered with excrement and remains of fish that are strewn around the nests. They breed in June laying three or four eggs. Size 2.50 1.50.

[Ill.u.s.tration 084: 120c--122.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 123b--124.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: left hand margin.]

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PELICANS. Family PELECANIDae

Pelicans are large, short legged, web footed (all four toes joined by a web) birds, the most noticeable feature of which is the long bill with its enormous pouch suspended from lower mandible. This pouch, while normally contracted, is capable of being distended to hold several quarts. It is used as a scoop in which to catch small fish. Their skin is filled with numerous air cells, making them very light and buoyant.

125. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. _Peleca.n.u.s erythrorhynchos._

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding in the interior, from Utah and the Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five feet, are entirely white except for the black primaries. They get their food by approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their head beneath the surface, sometimes scoop up a large number of fish at a time; after allowing the water to run out of the sides of the mouth, they proceed to swallow their catch. They nest in large communities on islands in some of the inland lakes.

Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Shoal Lake, Manitoba, furnish breeding ground for many thousands of Pelicans. They build their simple nests on the ground, making them of sticks and weeds. They generally lay two eggs, but often three or four. Size 3.45 2.30. Data.--Egg Island, Great Salt Lake, June 19, 1884. Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, surrounded by a few sticks. Collector, F. F. Leonard.

[Ill.u.s.tration 085: Chalky white.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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[Ill.u.s.tration 086: AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.]

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126. BROWN PELICAN. _Peleca.n.u.s occidentalis._

Range.--Found on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.

Brown Pelicans are about 50 inches in length; they have a blackish and grayish body and a white head and neck with a brown stripe down the back of the latter. The pouch is a dark greenish brown. This species is maritime and is not found inland. They breed in large colonies on many of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico and on Pelican Island on the east coast of Florida, in which latter place they are now protected from further depredations at the hand of eggers and gunners. Their fishing tactics differ from those of the White Pelican. They dive down upon the school of fish from the air and rarely miss making a good catch. Their nests are quite bulky structures made of sticks and weeds and gra.s.ses.