292 NEW- YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



FAMILY PELECANID^E. 



Bill generally longer than the head, strong, sometimes compressed : mandibles dentate. 

 Nostrils linear, often inconspicuous. Ski?i of the throat often naked, dilatable. Wings 

 long and powerful. Feet short, robust. Toes four, long, all united by a continuous mem- 

 brane. Tail of 12, 14 or 20 feathers. 



Obs. This family corresponds with the Steganopodes of Illiger. It contains few North 

 American species. 



GENUS PHALACRACORAX. Brisson. 



Bill somewhat longer than the head, straight, compressed. Upper mandible with a long 

 furrow on each side, rounded above, with the ridge distinct, and strongly hooked at the 

 tip : lower mandible with a small naked membrane produced on the throat. Nostrils basal, 

 linear, concealed. Tibia feathered. Tarsus compressed. Middle claw with the margin 

 dentated. Webs broad and full. Tail much rounded, of 12- 14 rigid feathers. 



THE CORMORANT. 

 Phalacracorax carbo. 



Pelecanus carbo, Linnjeus, p. 216. Phal. id. ? Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 402.? 

 Phatucorax id. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 412, pi. 415. Gieaub, Birds of Long island, p. 313. 



Characteristics. Blackish. Tail of 14 feathers. Summer, a bluish black crest on the 

 occiput and nape ; throat white, coming up to a point in front. Winter, 

 no crest ; throat dusky varied with whitish. Length, 38 '0. 



Description. Bill strong, 3" 5 long. Space round the eyes, and between these and the 

 bill, naked. 



Color. Bill blackish, greenish yellow at the tip and base. Crown, neck, breast and all 

 beneath black, with blue and green metallic reflections. Back and scapulars ashen brown, 

 glossed with purple and bronze. All the feathers edged with black. Summer, a broad band 

 of white on the throat, rising into a point in front. Crown and upper part of the neck with 

 long slender silky white feathers : several elongated white feathers on the thighs. Tail greyish 

 black; the shafts black. Young of the year: Crown, nape and back deep brown; with a 

 slight gloss of green ; gular band greyish ; front of the neck and all the under parts greyish 

 brown, with whitish spots intermixed ; above ash-grey, the feathers edged with deep brown. 



Length, 37-0-39-0. 



The Cormorant appears but rarely on the coast of this State, although it breeds, according 

 to Mr. Nuttall, from the coast of Massachusetts northwardly. The eggs, varying from 3 to 

 4, are of a uniform pale bluish green. It ranges on this coast from 35° to 53° north lati- 

 tude, and occurs on both sides of the Atlantic. 



