202 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Family PHALACROCORACID^.— The Cormorants. 



Chaeactebs. Bill comparatively small (.shorter than middle toe), variable as to out- 

 lines, but maxillary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked: nostrils obliterated; 

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

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

 much shoiter. Winas rather short, concave beneath, reahing but little, if any, beyond 

 base ot the tail; the latter variable as to length, usually r unded or graduated, com- 

 posed ot twelve to fourteen stiff feathers with very rigid shafts, which are exposed al- 

 most to the extreme base, on account of the slight development of the tail-coverts. 

 Plumage very compact, usually dark colored and glossy, but lower parts sometimes, in 

 part at least, whitish. 



The Cormorants are funereal-looking, long-necked water birds, 

 which have a habit of perching in rows upon dead trees, or 

 upon rocks by the sea-shore, or swimming in loon-like fashion 

 upon the water. 



Only one genus is recognized, but it is a question whether this 

 should not be subdivided. 



Genus PHALACROCORAX Brisson. 



Phalacrocorax Briss. Orn. vi, ITCO. 511. Type, Pelecanus carbo Linn. 

 "Carbn LvCEP. Mem. de V Inst. 1800-1801." 



Vrile BoNAP. (/onsp. il. 1856, 175. Type, Pelecanus nrile Gmel. 

 Hypo'eucns Eeich. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vii. Tjpe, Pelecanus varius Gmel. 

 Stictocarbo Bonap. "1851"; Consp. ii, 1856, 174. Type, Pelecanus ptinctatus Omel. 

 Microcarbn Bonap. Type, Phalacrocorax pugmceiis Paix. 



Cornvsohnliens Ridgw. in B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii,I8S4,145. Type. Carhopenicil- 

 latus Beandt. 



Gen. Chae. Same as those of the family Phalacrocc-acidcr (see above). 



The following species are known to occur in Illinois: 



L. Larger (wing more than 11.00 inches); adults without white round base of gular 

 pouch: the nuptial plumage with superciliary tufts. 



1. P. dilophus. Laiger. 



2. P. dilophus fioridanus. Smaller. 



I. Smaller (wing less than IM.oO inches): adults with white line around base of gular 

 pouch, but without superciliary tufts. 



3. P. mexioauus. 



