CORMORANTS: Family Phalacrocoracidae [ IOI ] 



fish. No evidence has ever been produced to substantiate this accusation 

 against any of our three species. Stomach contents invariably show that 

 they feed largely on anchovies, sculpins, stickleback, and other trash fish 

 and consume a very small proportion of edible food fish. Only three 

 stomachs of Brandt's Cormorant have been examined from the Oregon 

 coast. One was empty; one contained remains of four or more Spirontocaris , 

 one hermit crab, and one shrimp; and the third showed remains of four 

 or more Spirontocaris and a few bones of small minnows. There is no 

 evidence whatever on which to justify persecution of this species, and as 

 the great bird rookeries of the Oregon coast add a great deal to the attrac- 

 tiveness of the coast for tourists and nature lovers, there seems to be no 

 good reason why these colonies should not remain undisturbed. 



Baird's Cormorant: 



Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendent Audubon 



DESCRIPTION. "Breeding plumage: Throat pouch dull coral red; crown and back of 

 head with purplish green crests; neck with loose white filaments; flank with large 

 circular white patch; head and body dark glossy green, changing to rich purple on 

 neck and purplish green on wings; quills and tail black. Post-breeding plumage: crests, 

 white filaments, and white flank patch wanting. Young: dusky brown, lighter on 

 head; upper parts darker, with a tinge of green." (Bailey) Downy young: Born naked 

 with black skin but soon covered with a short, thick down, sooty gray in color. 

 Si%e: "Wing 9.30-10.50, tail 5.80-7.00, bill 1.65-1.00." (Bailey) Nest: Usually of 

 kelp and seaweed, placed on the most inaccessible cliffs and rocks. Eggs: 3 to 7, 

 usually 3 to 5, much like those of other cormorants, pale blue or white, coated with 

 a white calcareous material. 



DISTRIBUTION. General: Breeds from southern British Columbia to Mexico. Winters 

 in approximately same territory. In Oregon: Permanent resident of coast. Breeds on 

 suitable rocks and cliffs from Three Arch Rocks southward. Winters on open ocean 

 and salt-water bays. 



UNDER THE TITLE "Baird's Cormorant" will be found both the bird 

 known as "Baird's" and records and literature of the "Violet-green Cor- 

 morant," which is a northern form of this species. There is no evidence 

 to indicate that the Violet-green Cormorant has ever actually been taken 

 on the Oregon coast, but Baird's Cormorant is a permanent resident, 

 breeding on suitable rocks and cliffs from at least Three Arch Rocks south 

 to the California line and wintering all along our coast, both on the open 

 ocean and on the salt-water bays and inlets. It has been known as an 

 Oregon bird since Townsend (1839) listed it from the mouth of the 

 Columbia, but little attention was given it until Finley's work on the 

 coastal bird rookeries in 1901 and thereafter. 



In the hand, it is one of the most beautifully feathered of all Oregon 

 water birds with its resplendent iridescent plumage of shining greens and 

 purples. It is the smallest cormorant in the State, but its flight is much 



