144 TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEaANOPODES. 



Family rHALACROCOKACID.E. — The Cormorants. 



Char. Bill small (shorter than the middle toe), variable in outline, but the 

 maxillary un<fuis always prominent and strongly hooked ; nostrils obliterated ; 

 lores, orbital region, lower jaw, chin, and upper part of throat naked. INIiddle toe 

 longer than, or about equal to, the tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner 

 about as much shorter. Wings rather short, concave, reaching l:)ut little beyond 

 the base of the tail ; tail variable as to length, usually rounded or graduated, the 

 feathers stiff, with very rigid shafts, which are exposed almost to the base of the 

 tail, on account of the much abbreviated coverts. Plumage very compact, usually 

 dark-colored and glossy. 



Gexus PHALACROCORAX, Brisson. 



Pelccnviis, Liw. S. X. 1758 and 1766 (part). 



Pludacrocorax, Biiiss. Orii. VI. 1760, .f)ll (typp, Pdecanus carlo, Linn.). 



C<irho, LActF. Mem. de I'liist. ISOft-lSOl. 



Uri/c, RoxAP. Coiisp. II. 1856, 175 (type, Pchcanus urih, Gmel. ). 



UalUus, Ilmg. Piodr. 1811, 279. — BoNAP. Consp. II. 1856, 177 (type, Hydrocorax melanoleucus, 



VlEILL.). 



Ilijdrocorax, Vieill. Analyse, 1816, 63. 



Graucalus, Gr.AY, List Gen. 1841, 101. 



Gmculus, GiiAY, Gen. 1?. HI. 1845, 667. 



HypoJcucus, Reich. 185.3 (type, Pdecanus vrrrius, Gmkl.). — Boxap. Consp. IL 1856, 173. 



Slidocarbo, Boxap. " 1854," Consp. II. 1856, 174 (type, Pelecanus punctatus, Gmel.). 



Microcarbo, "Boxap. 1856" (type, Phalaci'ocorax pyfjmwus, Pall.). 



Char. Same as those of the family. 



Note. — As in the case of the genus Pelecnnux, it is quite likely that a systematic investi,i;ation 

 of the Cormorants will eventually recj^uire a suhdi vision of the genus Phalacrocorax, as here defined. 



Synopsis of North American Cormorants. 



.4. P>ill robust, the maxillary unguis arched and strongly hooked, the culmen sliglitly concave in 

 the mid<lle portion, and gently ascending basally. {Phalacrocorax.') 

 a. Ta il-fca th <', rs fu urteen. 



1. P. carbo. Size large (largest of the genus). Adult, with white patch adjoining base of 



the gular pouch ; rest of head, neck, and lower parts blue-black ; back and wing-coverts 

 grayish brown, feathers bordered with black. In breeding-season, head covered witli 

 white filaments, occijiut with a short mane-like black crest, and flanks with a large white 

 patch. Hah. Europe, and Northeastern North America. 

 h. Tail-feathers twelve. 



2. P. dilophus. Usually smaller than P. carho. Adult, greenish blue-black, the back and 



wings slaty brown, feathers bordered with black. In hreedinrj-season, crown with a tuft 

 on each side (beliind eye) of lengthened, curved, narrow black or white feathers. Hah. 

 Wliole of North America. 



3. P. mexicanus. ^'ery small (wing less than 10.50 inches). Adult, brownisli black, with 



a white line bordering the base of the gular pouch ; mantle dull brownish slate, the 

 feathers narrowly bordered with blaclc. In the hreeding- season, head, neck, and anal 

 region ornamented with scattered small white filaments. Hah. ]\[exico, Cuba, and 

 southern border of United States, north to Kansas and Southern Illinois. 



