CORMORANTS 41 



coast, and breeds abundantly on the Farallones and other islands; also 

 in the interior, nesting in extensive colonies in trees near some of 

 the large lakes. Mr. Chamberlain reports a colony at Clear Lake, 

 California, and those at Tiile Lake, Oregon, are undoubtedly of this 

 species. 



On their breeding grounds, nests, rocks, trees, and ground are 

 painted white with their excrement, and some of the trees are 

 usually killed by it. Bones and pieces of fish are scattered about, 

 adding to the general attractiveness of the place. 



121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt). MEXICAN CORMO- 



RANT. 



Adults. Head and foreparts of body mainly dark brownish, lighter on 

 throat, and gray or whitish adjoining brown throat pouch ; shoulders 

 and wing coverts slaty ; feathers bordered with black ; posterior parts of 

 body, tail, and wing quills blackish. Breeding plumage : head, neck, and 

 belly with slender white filaments. Young : brownish, becoming grayish 

 brown on throat and under parts, whitish next to pouch. Before first 

 moult : throat and breast whitish. Length : 23.00-28.75, wing 9.95-10.40, 

 bill 1.70-2.00. 



Distribution. Mexico, Cuba, and the Gulf coast ; north to New Mexico, 

 Kansas, and Illinois. 



Nest. Rudely made of sticks and leaves, placed on bushes or trees near 

 or over water. Eggs : bluish white, with a slight chalky deposit. 



Subgenus Compsohalieus. 



122. Phalacrocorax penicillatus (Brandt). BRANDT CORMO- 



RANT. 



Bill slender, nearly straight ; tail short, with narrow, rigid feathers ; 

 head without crests or elongated tufts. Adults : head and neck glossy 

 blue black, except for light brownish patch next to gular sac ; under 

 parts glossy greenish black ; scapulars and wing coverts dull greenish 

 black. Breeding plumage : sides of neck and shoulders with long white or 

 yellowish filaments ; throat pouch blue. Young : plumage brown, throat 

 and under parts paler ; upper parts darker, becoming blackish on back of 

 neck. Length: 35, wing 10.50-11.75, bill 2.60-2.95, tail 5.50-6.50. 



Distribution. Pacific coast from Cape St. Lucas to Vancouver Island. 



The Brandt cormorant is abundant along the Pacific coast, breed- 

 ing in large colonies on rocky islands. Grinnell says it is the cormo- 

 rant observed about San Pedro, hundreds sometimes being seen 

 roosting on the breakwater. On the Farallones Bryant says they 

 congregate in large rookeries. The young are hatched entirely 

 naked, their skin resembling a greasy black kid glove. -In this con- 

 dition, and even after the down is on them, they are an irresistible 

 morsel to the hungry gulls. 



Subgenus Urile. 



123a. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus Eidgw. VIOLET- 

 GREEN CORMORANT. 

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



