LIFE HISTOEIES OF NORTH AMERICAN PETRELS AND PELICANS, 247 



cormorants in this respect. The nests and their surroundings be- 

 come thoroughly whitewashed with excrement, which also accumu- 

 lates in slimy pools swarming with flies; the nests are often alive 

 with fleas, lice, and other vermin; and the odor of decaying fish 

 scattered about adds to the nauseating stench. Among such un- 

 healthful surroundings the young cormorants begin life and seem to 

 flourish. At first they are too weak to even hold up their heads, and 

 the heat of the sun on the black, naked bodies often brings fatal 

 results, if they are left too long without the brooding care of their 

 parents. Even when older and covered with black down, they seem 

 to suffer greatly with the heat, panting with wide open mouths, the 

 gular sacks vibrating rapidly as if in distress; perhaps this action 

 may be caused by fear rather than by suffering, but it strongly sug- 

 gests the panting of a dog on a hot day. 



The young are fed by their parents until the}^ are fully grown 

 and able to fish for themselves; at first the helpless youngster sips 

 the semidigested liquid food from the tip of the old bird's bill; 

 later on he learns to thrust his head and neck deep down into the 

 parental throat where he finds a more substantial supply of food; 

 and finally when he has learned to eat solid food his fish are brought 

 to him whole. The young remain in the nests until about fully 

 grown, but after their wings and tails are grown and while their 

 bodies are still downy they begin to wander about and gather in 

 groups near the shore; they walk about freely, exercising their 

 wings and legs, but do not attempt to enter the water; if one falls 

 into the water by accident, it makes no attempt to swim and soon 

 becomes thoroughh^ water soaked and chilled. Mr. llersey once 

 rescued one from such a predicament, which seemed to be benumbed 

 and lay flat on the rocks as if dead, although it had been in the 

 water but a few seconds. As soon as the body is fully feathered 

 the young bird takes to the water and soon learns to swim ; probably 

 it learns to catch fish before it can fly, which accomplishment is not 

 acquired until it is about eight weeks old. 



Plumages. — The first winter plumage is complete in September, 

 being acquired gradually from the downy stage, as explained above, 

 and is worn with but slight progress toward maturity during the fol- 

 lowing winter and spring. The plumage of the back suggests the 

 color pattern of the adult, each brown feather being bordered with 

 brownish black, but it is dull and lusterless, instead of glossy greenish 

 black; the under parts are dull brown, lighter on the throat and 

 belly than elsewhere ; the colors become lighter and duller as the sea- 

 son advances, by wear and fading. The progress of the molt into the 

 next plumage is very variable; some vigorous individuals begin to 

 molt as early as February, but with most birds this does not begin 

 until late in the spring or in the summer; the latter is probably the 



