72 U. S. P. K. E. EXP. AND SURVEYS ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



bear a strong resemblance, but though I have often procured it in full spring plumage, I have 

 never yet been able to detect the elongated tufts from behind each eye which distinguish that 

 species at the first glance. I procured their eggs early in July, on the Farrallone Islands, 

 and can only account for their tardy nidification from the fact that upon their first incubation 

 the nests were rifled by the inhabitants of the island to supply their swine with a sufficiency of 

 food. 



PHALACROCORAX KESPLENDENS, Aud .Violet- green Cormorant. 



Phalacrocorax rcsplendens, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 440, pi. 419. IB. Fol. pi 412. 



This beautiful species, easily distinguished by the metallic reflections of its plumage as well 

 as its smaller size, was first discovered by Mr. J. K. Townsend, on the Columbia river, and is 

 among the cormorants which fix their resting place on the Farrallone Islands. Its nest, 

 placed on a ledge of the most precipitous cliffs, is formed of sea weed and raised three or four 

 inches above the surface of the rock. In it are deposited three or four eggs of a light greenish 

 color, but coated with a calcareous deposit peculiar to the eggs of this whole genus. Its food, 

 on examination by dissection, I found to consist entirely of fish. 



PELECANUS TRACHYRHYNCHUS, Lath .American Pelican. 



Pelecanus trachyrhynchus , LATH. Birds, vol. X, p. 408. 



Pelccanus americanus, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 20, pi. 422. IB. Fol. pi. 311. 



Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, LAWRENCE, Baird s Gen. Eep. IX, 868. 



Abundant during the fall, when they migrate in long lines, following each other in single 

 file so closely and exactly that if the least curve is described by the leader each one takes it 

 precisely at the same point however large the flock. Some few pair breed in Sacramento valley, 

 but the larger number go further north for that purpose. 



PELECANUS FUSCUS, Linn .Brown Pelican. 



I decanus fuscus, GMKL. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 570. AUD. B. of A.. Oct. vol. VII, p. 32, pi. 423 & 424. NUTT. 

 Orn. vol. II, p. 476. 



Abundant on our whole western coast, and seen even as far down as Panama. In the Gulf 

 of California I observed a small black gull following this pelican incessantly on its flight, and 

 as the latter plunged into the sea after fish the gull would immediately alight by its side. The 

 pelican emerging from the water to discharge the fluid collected in the gular sac would drop its 

 bill, when the fish partially protruding from between its mandibles, the gull would seize upon 

 one and drag it out as his share of the booty. Although this feat is of hourly occurrence, I have 

 never seen the pelican offer the least resistance, or show any anger or impatience at the intrusion 

 or impudence of his little neighbor, who, like a tax gatherer, follows him through life, an evil 

 inevitable. 



STERNA CAYANENSIS, Gm el .Cayenne Tern. 



Sterna cayancnsis, GMELN. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 604. 



Sterna cayana, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 76, pi. 429. NUTT. Orn. vol. II, p. 268. 



This bird is occasionally seen following up the rivers and hovering over the lakes in search of 

 small fish, upon which it preys, plunging into the water after them, often disappearing beneath 



