48 WATER BIRDS 
grace and agility of a swallow, scarcely pausing in its 
flight, as it picks dragon-flies from the low rusbes or 
catches them in midair. Fish proper it scorns. Cray- 
fish forms some part of its diet, though possibly only a 
small part. It is found circling over a marshy meadow 
as well as above the more open water of the lakes, and 
its nesting site is not infrequently an almost dry pool. 
The choice of these often seems to be a mere matter of 
whim, but probably is determined by the abundance of 
insect life in the locality. 
120c. FARALLONE CORMORANT. — Phalacrocorar 
dilophus albociliatus. 
Famity : The Cormorants. 
Length : 25.00-31.00. 
Adults ; Greenish black merging to grayish brown on back and wings. 
All the feathers of these parts bordered with black, producing a 
scaled effect. 
Nuptial Plumage: On each side of head behind the eye there is a small 
tuft of long, curved, whitish feathers ; gular sac bright orange. 
Young: Head and neck brownish gray shading to light on chin, and 
dark on top of head; under parts brownish, darker on sides; gular 
sac yellow. 
Geographical Distribution : California, south to Cape St. Lucas and the 
Revilla Gigedo Islands. 
Breeding Range: Farallone Islands. 
Breeding Season: May and June. 
Nest: A loosely constructed mat of kelp, seaweed, and sometimes twigs. 
Eggs: From 4 to 5; light greenish, covered with chalky film. Size 
2.40 X 1.54. 
THE Farallone Cormorant may be recognized from the 
other species on the Farallone Islands by the long white 
tufts over the eyes. In nesting habits it is identical with 
Brandt’s cormorant, nor can the eggs of the two species 
