CORMORANTS 41 



coast, and breeds abundantly on the Farallones and other islands; also 

 in the interior, nestinii; in extensive colonies in trees near some of 

 the large lakes. ]Mr. Chamberlain reports a colony at Clear Lake, 

 California, and those at Tule Lake, Oregon, are undoubtedly of this 

 species. 



On their breeding grounds, nests, rocks, trees, and ground are 

 painted white with their excrement, and some of the trees are 

 usually killed by it. Bones and pieces of fish are scattered about, 

 adding to the general attractiveness of the place. 



121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt). Mexican Cormo- 



rant. 



Adults. — Head and foreparts of body mainly dark brownish, lighter on 

 throat, and gray or whitish adjoining- brown throat pouch ; shoulders 

 and -wing- coverts slaty ; feathers bordered with black ; posterior parts of 

 body, tail, and wing quills blackish. Breeding plumage : head, neck, and 

 belly with slender white filaments. Young : brownish, becoming- grayish 

 brown on throat and under parts, whitish next to pouch. Before Jirst 

 moult : throat and breast whitish. Length : 2o 00-28.75, wing^ 9.05-10.40, 

 bill 1.70-2.00. 



Distribution. — Mexico, Cuba, and the Gulf coast ; north to New Mexico, 

 Kansas, and Illinois. 



Nest. — Rudely made of sticks and leaves, placed on bushes or trees near 

 or over water. Eggs : bluish white, with a slight chalky deposit. 



Subgenus Compsohalieus. 



122. Phalacrocorax penicillatus (Brandt). Brandt Cormo- 



rant. 



Bill slender, nearly straight ; tail short, with 14 instead of 10 feathers; 

 head without crests or elongated tufts. Adults: head and neck g-lossy 

 blue black, except for lig-ht brownish patch next to g'ular sac ; under 

 parts g-lossy greenish black ; scapulars and wing- coverts dull greenish 

 black. Breeding plumage : sides of neck and shoidders with hnig- white or 

 yellowish filaments ; throat pouch blue. Young : plumage broAvn, throat 

 and under parts paler; upper j)arts darker, becoming blackish on back of 

 neck. Lengt/i : :15, wing- 10.50-11.75. l)ill 2.()0-2.05, tail 5..50-().50. 



Distribution. — Pacific coast from Cape St. Lucas to Vancouver Island. 



The Brandt cormorant is abundant along the Pacific coast, breed- 

 ing in large colonics on rocky islands. Grinnell says it is the cormo- 

 rant observed about San Pedro, hundreds .sometimes being seen 

 roo.sting on the breakwater. On the Farallones Bryant .says they 

 congregate in large rookeries. The young are hatched entirely 

 naked, Iheir skin resendjling a greasy black kid glove. In this con- 

 dition, and even after the down is on them, they are an irresistible 

 morsel to the hungry gulls. 



SnbccnuR Urile. 



123. Phalacrocorax pelagicus /'*»//. Pklack- Cormoij-vnt. 



Breeding plumage. — Throat ptiiich dull cural n'd : crown and hack of 



