PHALACROCOKACID^ — THE CORMORANTS — PHALACROCORAX. 155 



tropical and a subarctic region. In the United States this bird is chiefly confined 

 to the peninsula of Florida ; a few are found on the Atlantic coast as far east as 

 South Carolina, and along the coast of the Mexican Gulf as far west as the mouths 

 of the Mississippi. On the southwest it seems to be replaced by Phalacrocorax 

 mexicanus. It also occurs in Cuba, where it breeds, and probably in some others of the 

 West India islands. It is also found on the Atlantic sea-coast of Central America. 

 Mr. Salvin gives an account of having visited one of its breeding-places on the coast 

 of Honduras. The nests were built on the outer boughs of the mangrove-bushes, 

 some twelve feet above the water. These were very strongly constructed of sticks, 

 hollowed considerably on the inside, and partly lined with freshly picked mangrove- 

 leaves. The birds, at the time of his visit, were just depositing their eggs, and some 

 nests had in them what appeared to be their full complement of four, while others 

 had two or three, or only one. Mr. H. E. Dresser obtained examples of this species 

 at Man-of-War Bay, on the Belize coast. 



According to Audubon's observations in Florida, it is chiefly found about the shore, 

 in bays, inlets, and large rivers, and was not seen far out to sea. It is at all seasons 

 gregarious. So far as he noticed, it only nested on trees or bushes, and never on 

 the ground. He visited its breeding-places, April 26, on several small Keys. On the 

 branches of the mangroves a large colony, numbering several thousand pairs, had 

 already built their nests, and were sitting on their eggs ; and sometimes as many as 

 ten nests were on a single tree. 



The nest of this sj)ecies is of a rather small size, it being only about nine inches 

 in diameter, and it is formed of sticks crossing each other. The eggs varied greatly 

 in dimensions, averaging 2.25 inches in length, and 1.42 in breadth. They are ren- 

 dered rough by a coating of calcareous matter. The 3^oung at first are blind, and of 

 a black color ; and if approached when about a month old, they throw themselves into 

 the water. When undisturbed, however, they remain in their nest until they are able 

 to fly. As soon as the birds are old enough to take care of themselves large numbers 

 go to the inland streams and ponds for food. At this season some wander up the 

 shore, going as far north as the Carolina coast, and others ascend the Mississippi to 

 the Ohio, where individuals have been seen in October. It is, however, quite possible 

 that Audubon may have confounded the d'llophus with this form, especially as he was 

 not aware of the fact that the former is frequently met with in the interior. 



The flesh of P. floridamis is dark colored, of a rank taste, tough, and of a very fishy 

 flavor. The young are eaten by the Indians and negroes, and are sold in the New 

 Orleans market, and used by the poorer people for gumbo soup. 



Eggs of this species in the Smithsonian Collection (No. 2949), obtained in Florida, 

 at the Island of St. George's, by Dr. Bryant, have the chalky glaucous whiteness 

 peculiar to all the eggs of this genus. Three specimens measure, 2.30 by 1.45 inches ; 

 2.20 by 1.50 ; and 2.20 by 1.45. 



Phalacrocorax mexicanus. 



THE MEXICAN CORMORANT. 



Carho mexicanus, Brandt, Bull. Sc. Acad. St. Petersb. III. 1838, 55. 



Graculus mexicanus, Bonap. Consp. II. 1855, 173. — CouES, Key, 1872, 203; Check List, 1873, no. 



531; B. N. W. 1874, 588. —Snow, Cat. B. Kansas, 1873, 12 (Lawrence, Kan., April 2, 1872; 



one specimen). — EiDGW. Bull. N. 0. C. V. 1880, 31 (Cairo, 111.). 

 Phalacrocorax mexicanus, RiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 644. — Cottes, 2d Check List, 1882, 



no. 754. 



