206 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Adult, nuptial Dlumaae. Feathers bordering the gular sac white, forming a more or 

 less distinct transverse line, reaching upward nearly or quite to the eye. Head, neck, 

 rump, and entire lower parts silky brownish black, with a very faint purplish brown gloss 

 in certain lights; ba;k, scapulars, and wing-covorts dark brownish slaty, each feather nar- 

 rowly bordered with black; primaries slate-black. Tail uniform deep bla k, including the 

 shafts. Superciliary region, sides of neck, and anal region, ornamented by scattering nar- 

 row filamentous white feathers. Bill (in skin) light-colored, mottled with da ker, the cul- 

 men dusky ; gular sac brownish (dull orange-red in Ufe?); iris green; legs and feet deep 

 black. 



Adult.post-nuptial and winter plumage. Simi.ar to the nuptial plumage, but lacking 

 the white filamentous feathers of head, neck, etc. 



Young, first plumage. Head, neck and under parts gi-ayish brown, becoming gradu- 

 ally darker (nearly black) on the hind neck, sides, flanks, anal region and under tail-coverts* 

 and whitish on upper part of throat (next to gular pouch); upper parts as in the adtilt. 

 "Iris green; bill dark fleshy, culmen and upper part of lower mandible dusky; gular sac 

 brownish: feet deep black." (Sumichkast. U. S.) 



Young, in winter. Similar to first plumage, but throat, foreueek, chest, and breast 

 much lighter colored— sometimes almost white. 



Total length, about 23.00-28.75 inches; extent, 3S.00-~)2.75 ; wing, 9.95-10.40; tall, 6.75-8.30; 

 cuhnen, 1.70-2.00; tarsus, 1.85-2.10; middle toe. 2.15-2.85. 



The Mexican Cormorant is said to be a common resident 

 along the coast of Texas, and doubtless also breeds in portions 

 of the lower Mississippi Valley, specimens having- been taken 

 in April near Lawrence and in Mitchell Co., Kansas, and near 

 Cairo, Illinois.* 



Its habits are said to be essentially the same as those of the 

 Florida Cormorant, with which it doubtless may easily be con- 

 founded when seen at a little distance. 



• Fide Chas. K. Wobthbn; see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cluh. Jan, 188», p. 31. 



