A HRST GLANCE AT THE BIRDS 



shores. A distinguishing mark is the naked skin-pocket, di- 

 rectly under the bill, known as the gular pouch, an appendage 

 which for a long time was supposed to be used for carrying 

 live fish to the young, but this theory has been pronounced 

 untrue, as the young are now known to be fed with partially 

 macerated food disgorged by the parents. 



Many of you have, no doubt, noticed a large-bodied, long- 

 necked bird, dark brownish-black in color, flying over the sur- 

 face of the bay with rather laborious flapping of wings, or 

 have seen several of them standing erect upon some bare rock, 

 their long necks reaching way into the air. They are cor- 

 morants — probably Brandt's — familiarly known as "shags." 

 Besides being excellent swimmers and divers they are expert 

 fishermen. They breed along our coast, three species being 

 represented upon the Farallones, and unlike most sea birds 

 they make large nests of sticks and seaweed. Their young 

 look like hideous little imps of black india-rubber, with enor- 

 mous gaping mouths which seem almost capable of swallow- 

 ing their devoted parents. 



Two species of pelicans make their home in our state — the 

 white and the California brown. The former, a beautiful bird 

 in its snowy plumage, is most common about the interior lakes, 

 while the California brown is found only on the coast. It is 

 an interesting sight to observe a flock of white pelicans fishing 

 by forming in line and wading in the shallow water toward the 

 shore, gathering in their plunder as they go. 



The California brown pelicans plunge from a considerable 

 height while on the wing, a most interesting performance, 

 which may be frequently observed along the shores of San 

 Francisco Bay. 



[H] 



