378 PHALACROCORAX. CORMORAXT. 



roundish, large, with the muscular coat very thin, being 

 reduced to a single series of slender fibres, the inner coat soft 

 and smooth. There is a distinct roundish pyloric lobe. The 

 duodenum at first curves upwards or forwards, then returns 

 and assumes its ordinary course, forming a loop ; the intes- 

 tine of moderate length and width ; the coeca very short and 

 obtuse ; the rectum with a large globular cloaca. 



Nostrils obliterated in the adult, the internal passage 

 remaining open, but the outer filled up. Eyes rather small, 

 with the eyelids bare, as is a large space at the base of both 

 mandibles. Aperture of ear very small. Feet short, stout, 

 placed far behind ; tibia feathered in its whole length ; tarsus 

 very short, much compressed, reticulated with scales, of which 

 the inner are transversely elongated, the outer sub-hexagonal, 

 the posterior very small. Toes four, in the same plane ; the 

 first directed inwards and small, the fourth longest, all with 

 numerous oblique scutella, and connected by Avebs. Claws 

 strong, curved, compressed, acute, that of the third toe with a 

 pectinate inner edge. 



Plumage of the head, neck, lower neck, and hind part of 

 the back, glossy, blended, and silky ; of the wings and fore 

 part of the back compact, the feathers ovate, imbricated, with 

 loose silky margins, \yings rather large and broad, convex ; 

 primaries short, strong, tapering, obtuse, the third longest ; 

 secondaries broad, rounded ; scapulars large and strong. 

 Tail rather small, rounded, of from twelve to sixteen, narrow, 

 straight feathers, having very strong shafts and firm webs. 



Species of this genus occur on almost every rocky coast, 

 and often on low coasts having trees along the water edge. 

 In searching for their food, which consists entirely of fish, 

 they seldom go to a great distance from the land. They 

 swim and dive with extreme agility, sink in the water when 

 alarmed, have a moderately quick, even flight, perch on rocks 

 or trees, and nestle in both situations. The nest is bulky 

 and rudely constructed ; the eggs from two to five, oblong or 

 narrow-elliptical, bluish-Avhite, crusted with white calcareous 

 matter, as in the Pelicans and Gannets. The young at first 

 black, blind, and naked, are soon partially covered with 

 down, and are fed with half-digested fish from the gullet of 



