202 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS 



FAMILY PHALACROCORACnXffi. THE CORMORANTS. 



CHAEACTKBS. Bill comparatively small (shorter than middle toe), variable as to out- 

 lines, but maxillary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked; nostrils obliterated; 

 lores, orbital region, lower jaw. chin, and upper part of throat naked. Middle toe longer 

 than, or about equal to, tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner toe about as 

 much shorter. Wings rather short, concave beneath, reaching but little, if any, beyond 

 base of the tail; the latter variable as to length, usually rounded or graduated, com- 

 posed of twelve to fourteen stiff feathers with very rigid shafts, which are exposed al- 

 most to the extreme base, on account of the slight development of the tail-coverts. 

 Plumage very compact, usually dark colored and glossy, but lower parts sometimes, in 

 part at least, whitish. 



The Cormorants are funereal-looking, long-necked water birds, 

 which, have a habit of perching in rows upon dead trees, or 

 upon rocks by the sea-shore, or swimming in loon-like fashion 

 upon the water. 



Only one genus is recognized, but it is a question whether this 

 should not be subdivided. 



GENUS PHALACROCORAX BRISSON. 



Phalacrocorax BRISS. Orn. vi, 1760, 511. Type, Pelecanus carbo LINN. 

 "Carlo LACEP. Mem. de l f Inst 1800-1801." 



Urile BONAP. Gonsp. ii. 1856, 175. Type, Pelecanus urile GMEL. 

 Hypoleucus REICH. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vii. Type, Pelecanus varius GMEL. 

 Stictocarbo BONAP. "1854"; Consp. ii, 1856, 174. Type, Pelecanus punctatus GMEL. 

 Microcarbo BONAP. Type, Phalacrocorax pygmceus PALL. 



Compsohalieus RIDGW. in B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 145. Type, Carbo penicil- 

 latus BRANDT. 



GEN. CHAR. Same as those of the family Phalacrocoracidce (see above). 



The following species are known to occur in Illinois: 



A. Larger (wing more than 11.00 inches); adults without white round base of gular 



pouch; the nuptial plumage with superciliary tufts. 



1. P. dilophus. Larger. 



2. P. dilophns floridanus. Smaller. 



B. Smaller (wing less than 10.50 inches); adults with white line around base of gular 



pouch, but without superciliary tufts. 



3. P. mexicanus. 



