316 Beyer, Allison, Kopman, Birds of Louisiana. [July 



somewhat crepuscular, in this particular being unlike the gulls and terns. 



19. Booby (Sula sula). Though this species doubtless occurs in 

 Louisiana at all seasons, it should be regarded as an uncommon and irregu- 

 lar visitor from further south, rather than as a resident. Specimens were 

 taken in September, 1884, on the Mississippi about fifty miles below New 

 Orleans, and three were observed at Red Pass, near the mouth of the Missis- 

 sippi, on January 15, 1901. 



20. Gannet (Sula bassana). This species is an occasional winter 

 visitor; it has been observed several times at the Rigolets, in southeastern 

 Louisiana. Like the preceding this species seems to occur unassociated 

 with any other species except possibly the cormorants. 



21. Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). Resident along the Gulf coast, 

 following the rivers and larger bayous inland, and preferring open swamps, 

 especially those of cypress and tupelo, for its nesting places. In the 

 breeding season it is associated with several of the herons, especially the 

 Great Blue Heron, the American Egret, and the Little Blue Heron. The 

 breeding season includes most of May, June, and July. There are usually 

 three birds to a brood. This species has been found breeding in willows 

 in an abandoned and flooded rice field on the edge of a swamp near the 

 Mississippi in Plaquemines Parish. Nearly a dozen nests have been seen 

 in a single clump of willows. The nests in this case were mere platforms, 

 something over a foot in diameter, and having moderate depressions. 

 The behavior of the young at the conclusion of the nesting period is often 

 peculiar. A nestling almost fully fledged has been seen to fall precipitately 

 from a branch of its nest-tree, on the approach of a person, striking the marsh 

 below head first, and emitting a strange, harsh note in its descent. The 

 adults resent the presence of intruders about a nesting colony by flying 

 back and forth and uttering peculiar hissing notes. The attitude of both 

 young and old when perched on the trees of a site selected for a nesting 

 colony is often peculiar. The adults frequently sit with their wings ex- 

 tended for considerable intervals, while the young huddle together in atti- 

 tudes that frequently suggest a hawk. Under such circumstances, on 

 account of the coloring of the young at a certain period, the resemblance 

 to the Red-shouldered Hawk is marked. 



Although this species occurs commonly along the coast, it does not breed 

 on or near salt water. 



While the Anhinga is resident in Louisiana, it is always much more 

 conspicuous in summer, at which season it is not unusual to see these birds 

 soaring at considerable heights in the localities where they breed. The 

 Anhinga resorts with much regularity to the same nesting sites every year. 



22. Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax dilophus). This is a 

 winter resident, not common, and found almost exclusively along the Gulf 

 coast. Three or four are usually seen together. It has been seen on Lake 

 Catherine as late as April 14 (1904). 



23. Florida Cormorant (Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus). This 

 species is much commoner than the preceding, though found in the same 



