PELICANS. 95 



and May; Aug. to Nov. Slug .Sing, A. V., June. Cambridge, casual, one 

 instance, Sept. 



Nest^ of sticks, seaweed, etc., on the ledges of clitfs, low bushes, bushy 

 trees, or on the ground. Eggs^ two to four, similar in color to those of the 

 preceding, 2*40 x 1-40. 



This is the common Cormorant of the middle Eastern States. We 

 see it chiefly as migrant when in flocks of varying size it passes far 

 overhead, or pauses to rest on our shores. In migrating the flock 

 is formed in a long line, comparatively few birds deep. On the wing 

 they bear a general resemblance to large Ducks. 



120a. P. d. floridanus (Aud.). Florida Cormorant. Resembles 

 the preceding species in color, but is smaller. W., 12-00; T., 5'50; B,, 2-10. 



This is an abundant bird on the Florida coast and westward along 

 the shores of the Grulf. Almost every buoy in the harbors of Florida 

 is capped by a Cormorant. They are shy birds, but may easily be se- 

 cured by placing traps on the buoys or snags, to which they regularly 

 return to roost. 



The Mexican Cormorant (121. Phalacrocorax, mexicanus) — a species 

 found on the west Gulf coast and southward — sometimes wanders up the Mis- 

 sissippi as far as Illinois. 



Family Pelecanid^. Pelicans. 



The twelve known species of Pelicans are distributed throughout 

 the warmer parts of the world. Three species are North American, 

 of which two are exclusively maritime, while the third is found both 

 on the coast and in the interior. Pelicans are gregarious and nest in 

 large colonies. Their flight is strong but leisurely, six or seven wing- 

 strokes being followed by a short sail, all the members of a flock flap- 

 ping and sailing in unison. They feed on fish, for which some species 

 plunge from the air, while others capture small fry with their scoop- 

 like pouches while swimming. 



125* Pelecanus erythrorhynchus Gmel. American White 

 Pelican. Ad. in breeding plumage. — White, primaries black, whitish at 

 the base ; an occipital crest and a horny prominence on the bill. Ad. in 

 winter. — Similar, but without the crest or horny prominence. Ln. — Similar, 

 but top of the head brownish gray. L., GO-OO ; W., 22-00; Tar., 4-50; B., 

 14-00. 



Range.— 'i^orth. America, now rare or accidental on the Atlantic coast; 

 breeds from southern Minnesota northward; winters along the Gulf coast. 



Washington, casual, four records. Long Island, A. V. 



Nest., of small sticks, on the ground. Egga^ two to four, creamy or bluish 

 white with a chalky deposit, more or less stained, 3*45 x 2-"0. 



