204 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



diving only from the surface, and never when flying. Its power of 

 swimming is very great, and it can remain under the water for a 

 long time, so that when only wounded its pursuit in a boat is use- 

 less. Individuals of this species occasionally seem to prefer in- 

 land waters during the summer, while others breed on the islands 

 at sea and along the large rivers. They may often be seen sit- 

 ting on snags or on rocks ; but are so shy that they cannot be 

 approached in a boat, although in flying they often pass very 

 near the hunter, and thus afford an opportunity for a shot. In 

 winter they associate in small numbers with the more marine 

 species. This seems to be an altogether silent species. In flying 

 it proceeds by constant and laborious flappings, and moves with 

 great rapidity. Occasionally it sails for a short distance." 

 ( Water B. N. Am.) 



Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus (Aud.) 



FLORIDA CORMORANT. 



Popular synomyms. Southern Double-crested Cormorant; Black Loon (Wabash River); 

 Nigger Goose (Southern States). 



Phalacrocorax floridanus Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 387; v, 1839, 632, pi. 251 ; Synop. 1839, 303; 



B. Am. vi, 1813, 430, pi. 417. 

 Oraculus floridanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1856, 172— Lawk. inBaird's B. N. Am. 1858, 879.— 



Baibd. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 624. 

 Oraculus dilophus, var. floridanus Coues, Key, 1872, 303; Check List, 1873, No. 530 a.— 



Coey, B. Bahama I., 1880, 198. 

 Oraculus dilophus, b. floridanus Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 587. 

 Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus Ridgw. Proc. Q. S. Nat. Mus. iii, Aug. 24, 1880, 205; 



Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 6)3 a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 78— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, 



No. 753.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 120 a. 

 Phalacrocorax dilophus, b. floridanus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 150. 

 Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley, north, in summer, 

 to Illinois, Iowa, etc.; occasional in Bahamas and Cuba. 



Subsp. Char. Exactly like O. dilophus, except In size, being smaller. Total length, 

 about 21.25-30.00 inches; wing, 11.20-12.50 (11.75); culmen, 2.00-2.40 (2.17). 



The difference between the so-called Florida Cormorant and 

 the true Double-crested Cormorant (G. dilophus) being appar- 

 ently only an average one of size, it is very doubtful whether it 

 should be recognized as a separate race, since it is quite impossi- 

 ble, so far as I have had the opportunity of judging, to detect 

 any differences of coloration. Not having been able to exam- 

 ine a very large series, however, the number of specimens repre- 

 senting the true G. dilophus being exceedingly small, I prefer to 



