208 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



into green at the tip; gular sac yellow. In winter the male loses the white hair-like feathers or 

 the neck ; middle tail feathers showing transverse fluting. 



Adult feviale : Head, neck, and breast buff color, darker on the nape. 



Length, 33.50; Wing, 13.50; Tail, 10.50; Tarsus, 1.35: Bill. 3.25. 



Ranges on the Atlantic coast from Florida to the Carolinas. It is 

 resident and breeds in Florida, building its nest on some limb overhanging 

 water. The eggs are usually two or three and chalky white, having a 

 bluish tinge. 



Family PHALACROCORACID.^. Cormorants. 



Genus PHALACROCORAX Brisson. 



PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS FL0RIDANU5 (Aud). 

 Florida Cormorant. 



Adult in summer : General plumage black ; back and wing coverts slaty brown ; tail consists 

 of twelve feathers. 



Length, 36 ; Wing, 12; Tail, 5.75 ; Bill, 2.20. 



Common on the Florida coast. It breeds in the State, the nest being 

 built on bushes or trees. The eggs are dirty white with a bluish tinge. 



