TOTl PALMATE SWIMMERS 



120a. Florida Cormorant. Plialacrocorax auritus floridanus. 



This sub-species is a common breeding bird in the swamps and islands of the 

 Gulf coast and north to South Carolina and southern Illinois. The nests are 

 placed in the mangroves in some of the most impenetrable swamps and are 

 composed of twigs and lined with leaves or moss. Tliey lay three or four chalky 

 bluish white eggs. Size 2.30 x 1.40. Data. — Bird Is., Lake Kissimee, Florida, 

 April 5, 1898. Three eggs. Nest made of weeds and grass, in a willow bush. 



1 20b. White-crested (Cormorant. Plialacrocorax auritus cincinatus. 



Range. — Northwestern coast of North America, breeding in Alaska, and south 

 to the northern boundary of the United States, breeding both in the interior 

 and on the coast, in the former case generally on the ground or in low trees 

 on swampy islands and in the latter, on the rocky cliffs of the coasts and 

 islands. The nests are built in the same fashion as the other Cormorants, and 

 tlie three to five eggs are similar. Size 2.45 x 1.40. 



120c. Farallon Cormorant. J^halacrocorax auritus albociliatus. 



Range. — This sub-species breeds on the coasts and islands of California and 

 soutliward. 



In company with other species of Cormorants, these birds breed in large 

 numbers on the Farallones, placing their nests well up on the higher ridges and 

 rocks. They breed most abundantly during May. When nesting on the inland 

 islands, they place their nests in low^ bushes. Their nests and eggs are similar 

 to those of the other Cormorants. Size 2.40 x 1.50. Data. — Farallones, Cali- 

 fornia. Nest of weeds and seaweed on the rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson. 



121. Mexican Cormorant. Plialacrocorax visua mexicanus. 



Range. — Breeds abundantly from 



Greenish white 



southern Texas, south through Mexico; 

 north rarely to Kansas; has recently 

 been found breeding in limited num- 

 ber on some of the Bahamas. In the 

 interior they nest in trees, chiefly 

 those overhanging or growing in the 

 water. On the coasts they nest on the 

 rocky ledges, as do the other Cormor- 

 ants. They nest in colonies building 

 their abode of twigs and weeds, and 

 during May laying three or four eggs, 

 greenish white in color and chalky, as 

 are all the Cormorants. Size 2.25 x 1.35. 



81 



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