624 THE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. 



There are no recent accounts of the nesting of this bird within the limits 

 of the state, but its present occurrence during the breeding season is well 

 within the bounds of possibility. Like the Wood Duck, it selects for a nesting 

 site a hollow tree or stub in some secluded spot. Dr. Brewer tells of an in- 

 stance, in the neighborhood of the St. Croix River, in Maine, where the claims 

 of the two birds came into conflict. "Several years ago Mr. Boardman's 

 attention was called to a singular contest between a female Wood Duck and 

 a female of the Hooded Merganser for the possession of a hollow tree. The 

 two birds had been observed for several days contesting for the nest, neither 

 permitting the other to remain in peaceful occupancy. The nest was found 

 to contain 18 fresh eggs, of which about a third belonged to the Merganser; 

 and as the nest was lined with her own dark-colored down, it appeared prob- 

 able that this bird was the rightful owner of the premises." 



No. 310. 



DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. 



A. O. U. Xo. 1 20. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.). 



Synonym. WATER TURKEY. 



Description. Adults in breeding plumage: Glossy greenish black; the 

 back and wings slaty brown, each feather bordered with greenish black; a tuft 

 of narrow, loose-webbed, slightly curled, black feathers on each side of crown 

 behind ey^; tail of twelve feathers; gular sac bright orange. Adult in zvinter: 

 Similar but without head-tufts. Young male ( ?) : Head, neck and fore breast 

 grayish brown, lighter below and on sides, darker on crown and behind ; re- 

 maining under-parts, lower back, etc., rich dark brown; back and wings 

 much as in adult; gular pouch yellowish. Young female (perhaps young of the 

 year of both sexes): Like preceding but still lighter; back and wings hoary 

 grayish brown, bordered with lighter brown. Length 29.00-34.00 (736.6-863.6) ; 

 wing 13.00 (330.2) ; tail 7.00 (177.8) ; bill 2.28 (57.9) ; tarsus 2.60 (66.). 



Recognition Marks. Brant to Eagle size; greenish black plumage; orange 

 gular pouch ; heavy but well sustained flight. 



Nest, of sticks, in tree or bush, on a cliff or even on the ground. Eggs, 2-4, 

 pale bluish white, more or less coated with a chalky deposit. Av. size, 2.50 x 

 1.50 (63.5 x 38.1). 



General Range. Eastern North America, breeding from the Bay of Fun- 

 dy, the Great Lakes, Minnesota and Dakota northward ; south in winter to the 

 Southern States. 



Range in Ohio. Not common spring and fall migrant. Found almost en 

 tirely on Lake Erie and the larger reservoirs. Formerly bred in considerable 

 numbers on the Grand Reservoir and probably elsewhere. Said to have bred for- 

 merly on the Licking Reservoir ; doubtful. 



