2040 



THE CORMORANT GROUP 



CORMORANTS, DARTERS, AND GANNETS 



Family PHALACROCORACID^E 



The cormorants, of which there are some thirty species, are the typical repre- 

 sentatives of the first family of the order, and are characterized by their elongated 

 but powerful body; the long neck, which may vary considerably in thickness; the 



COMMON CORMORANT. 



moderately-long and narrow beak, of which the tip is sharply deflected, and by 

 their lineal and concealed nostrils. The face and throat are naked; the legs short 

 and stout, with the first toe articulated to the inner side of the metatarsus, and 

 the claw of the third toe has a serrated inner margin. The wings are of moderate 

 length, with the third quill the longest, and the tail has either twelve or fourteen 



