144 TOTIPALMATB SWIMMERS — STEGANOPODES. 



Family I'll ALACUOCORACIDJE. — The Cormorants. 



Chah. Bill small (shorter than the middle toe), variable in outline, but the 



maxillary unguis always prominent and stnmgly hooked; nostrils obliterated; 

 Lores, orbital region, lower jaw, chin, and upper part of throat naked. Middle toe 

 longer than, or about equal to, the tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner 

 about as much shorter. Wings rather short, concave, reaching but little beyond 

 the base of the tail ; tail variable as to length, usually rounded or graduated, the 

 feathers stiff, with very rigid shafts, which are exposed almost to the base of the 

 tail, on account of the much abbreviated coverts. Plumage very compact, usually 

 dark-colored and glossy. 



Gems PHALACROCORAX, Bkissox. 



/' 'ccanus, Linn. S. X. 1758 and 1766 (part). 



. Briss. Dm. VI. 1760, ."'11 (type, Pelecanus carbo, Linn.). 

 Carlo, Lacep. Mem. de l'lnst 1800-1801. 



Utile, Bonap. Consp. II. 1856, 17."> (type, Pelecanus urile, Gmel.). 

 Halw.ws, I lug. Prodr. 1811, 279. — Boxap. Consp. II. 1S56, 17" (type, Hydrocorax melanoleucus, 



VlKII.I..). 



Uydrocorax, Yir.iu.. Analyse, 1816, 63. 



Graucalus, Gray, List Gen. 1841, 101. 



Graculus, Gray, Gen. B. III. 1845, 667. 



Hypoleucus, Reich. 1S53 (type, Pelecanus varius, Gmki..). — Bonap. Consp. II. 1S56, 173. 



Stictocarbo, Bonap. " 1854," Consp. II. 1856, 174 (type, Pelecanus punctalus, Gmel.). 



Microcarbo, "Bonap. 1856" (type, Phalacrocorax pyymaius, Pall.). 



Char. Same as those of the family. 



Note. — As in the case of the genus Pelecanus, it is quite likely that a systematic investigation 

 of the Cormorants will eventually require a subdivision of the genus Phalacrocorax, as here defined. 



Synopsis of North American Cormorants. 

 .4. Bill robust, the maxillary unguis arched ami strongly hooked, the culmen slightly concave in 

 the middle portion, and gently ascending basally. (Phalacrocorax ) 

 a. Tail-feathers fourti ■ n. 



1. P. carbo. Size large (largest of the genus). Adult, with white patch adjoining base, of 

 the gular pouch ; rest of head, neck, and lower parts blue-black ; Lack and wing-coverts 

 grayish brown, feathers bordered with black. In breeding-season, head covered »iih 

 white filaments, occiput with a short mane-like black crest, and flanks with a large white 

 patch. Hah. Europe, and Northeastern North America. 

 6. Tail-feathers twelve. 



■2. P. dilophus. Usually smaller than P. carbo. Adult, greenish Line-black, the back and 

 wings slaty brown, feathers bordered with black. In breeding-season, crown with a tuft 

 on each side (behind eye) of lengthened, curved, narrow black or white feathers. Hub. 

 Whole of North America. 

 3. P. mexicauus. Very small (wing less than 10.50 inches). Adult, brownish black, with 

 a white line bordering the base of the gular pouch ; mantle dull brownish slate, the 

 is narrowly bordered with black. In On breeding-season, head. neck, and anal 

 region ornamented with scattered small white filaments. Hah. Mexico, Cuba, ami 

 southern border of United States, north to Kansas and Southern Illinois. 



