North American Birds E(;c;s. 



65 



I 23a. Violet-green Cormorant. rhahicr(ic<ir(i.v {k hnjiciis rnlnisliis. 



This suh-species is foiiml on the I'acitic coast I'ntm Washington to the .Vleu- 

 tian Ishinds. Their habits and nests and eugs ar(> the same as those of the 

 Pehitric Cornioiant, nestintr on the liiirh cliffs of the rocky ishinds. The eggs 

 are tlu' same size as those of the precedinu. Data. — Sitka Sound, .July 28, 1,S'J6. 

 Nest on shelf of rock, 50 feet above surf: saucer-shaped, of seaweed and decom- 

 posed grass. Collector, Joseph (irinnell. 



123b. Baird Cormorant, rhdldcrdcordx jtchniicns nsjilciKhnx. 



This variety breeds on the i'acitic coast from Washington soutii to Mexico. 

 They nest on the Farallones, but in smaller numbers than the other varieties 

 found there. Both the lurds and their eggs are smaller than the preceding. 

 Size of eggs 2.L'0 x 1.^0. 



124. Red-faced Cormorant. I'lKtUirronirdX it rile. 

 Range. — Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to .Japan in the winter. 



This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having the forehead bare. They 

 do not differ in their l)reeding habits from others of the family. That the Cor- 

 morants 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 y 

 with excrement ami remains of fish that are strewn arouiul the nests. They 

 iirced in .June laving tliree or four eggs. Size li.50 x 1.50. 



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 lowtM- mandilile. Tliis pouch, while normally contracted, 

 is capable of being distended to hold several (piarts. 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. I'clccdinis (■/•/it/irDr/ii/iichos. 



iiange.— Temperate North America, l)reeiling in the interior, from T'tah and 

 the Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five feet, are 

 entirelv whit(> exi'ept for the black primaries. They get their food by 

 approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their head l)eneaththe 

 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 then- catch. 

 Thev nest in large communities on islands in some of the inland lakes. ^ 



(ireat Salt Lake, rtah.and Shoal Lake, Manitoba furnish breeding ground for 

 many thousands of Pelicans. They l)uild their simple nests on the ground, 

 making them of sticks and weeds, ' Thev generallv lav two eggs, l)ut often three 

 or four. Size 0.45 X L'.;50. Data. — Kgg Island, (Jreat Salt Lake, .June 10,1884. 

 Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, surrounded by a few sticks. 

 Collector, F. E. Leonanl. 

 6 



