PIIAL A.CKOCOR ACI D /E. 



339 



Fig. 78. Plotus melanogaster. 



Family PHALACROCOEACID.E. 



The Cormorants and Darters are diving fishers with black or 

 blackish plumage on the upper parts, and very often on the lower 

 also. They have a longish neck, a somewhat slender and elongate 

 bill, and stiff tail-feathers. The nostrils are small and not per- 

 vious. Cervical vertebrae 20. Ambiens, feinoro-caudal, and serm- 

 tendinosus muscles present, the two accessory thigh-muscles 

 wanting. Syringeal muscles present. 



There are two subfamilies thus distinguished; each contains a 

 single genus : 



Bill hooked at tips, margins of com- 

 missure smooth Phalacrocoracince, p. 340. 



Bill straight, pointed, margins toothed. Plotinos, p. 343. 



z2 



