THE BRANDT CORMORANT. 847 



unl\- dismal or ridiculous. ]\li.ist iutt-rt-sting. also, is the curii.ius pulsatiug of 

 the loose inenibranes of the throat during excitement or anger, or perhaps 

 during activity of an}- kind. The pulsating mo\-ement is rapid and to 

 appearance violent, and it is characteristic not only of this species but of the 

 next as well. 



Amono- the \-ounp- Cormorants noted on tlie Gren\ille Arch was one with 

 a misshapen foot, who knowing his weakness did not attem])t to escape, but 

 hissed and harked at me most \'aliantly e\er_\- time J passed. He fairly 

 clamored for my blood, but when I ventured a hand he picked at it ratlier 

 sheei)ishly and then desisted, as tliC) admitting it was all bluff. What a curious 

 provision of nature it is which tills the mouths of her most in(Tft"ensi\'e crea- 

 tures with loud lioastings! 



No. 342. 



BRANDT'S CORMORANT. 



A. O. U. No. 122. Phalacrocorax penicillatus ( llrandt). 



Synonyms. — TiKowx Chr.moraxt. Shag. 



Description. — .Idiilts in curly nuptial phinuuic: In general deep lustrous 

 greenish black, changing to lustrous purplish black on head and neck; lighter on 

 scapulars and wing-coverts, where feathers exhibit viijlet-green iridescence, and 

 have narrow edgings of the darker green; gular sac dull blue, bordered basally 

 with dull orange or fawn-color. From each side of the neck springs a loose 

 irregular tuft of stiffish linear white feathers, declined backward and downward 

 2 to 3 inclies. Similar feathers of twice the width and half the abundance start 

 from the scapulars, and a few others, mere stiffened hairs, are scattered over the 

 lower occiptal region. These white adornments disa])i)ear with the advance 

 of the nesting season, and the plumage loses much of its luster ( ?). Trides sea- 

 green; bill dusky. Young: Brownish black, lusterless, lightening on lielly, and 

 with lighter edgings of feathers on scapulars and wing-coverts. 



Recognition Marks. — Eagle size ; Ijluish and fawn-colored gorget most dis- 

 tinctive at close (|uarter.s — general absence of positive characteristics itself 

 distinctive at greater range. 



Nesting. — Nest: a substantial structure of moss, sea-weed, and compacted 

 grasses, deeplv cupped, placed on level surface of rock, usually crest of islet. 

 Eggs: 4, pale bluish green, overlaid with white calcareous deposit, elliptical ovate 

 or elongate ovate. Av. size, 2.53 x 1.54 ( 64.8 x 39.1 ). Season: May 20-June 20; 

 one brood. 



General Range. — Pacific Coast of North America from A'ancouver Island to 

 Cape St. Eucas. 



Range in Washington. — Breeding, but not commonly, upon the C)lympiades; 



