( 343 ) 



shorter ; head and fore part of the neck light reddish-brown ; upper 

 parts brownish-gray; a band of white on the wings, formed by the 

 terminal portion of the secondary coverts; lower parts white. 



This species is called by our gunners ' : Pied Shell Drake." Al- 

 though not so numerous as the former, during the year it is met 

 with in most parts of the Union. It is said to breed in the neighbor- 

 hood of the western lakes, and various parts of the United States, 

 laying eight to twelve bluish-white eggs. Like the former, it feeds 

 on fish, and its flesh is not considered a delicacy. 



FAMILY PELICANINjE. 



PELICANS. 



GENUS PHALACROCORAX — BRISS. 



CORMORANTS. 



[Bill nearly straight, and about the length of the head— strong, the upper 

 mandible hooked, lower shorter ; at the base, a small naked membrane pro- 

 duced on the throat ; neck rather short ; body compressed ; face and small . 

 pouch naked ; feet short, stout ; wings slender ; quills stiff; tail rounded, of 

 twelve or more rigid feathers.] 



PHALACROCORAX CARBO— LINN. 



COMMON CORMORANT. 



Phalacrocorax Carbo, Bonap. 

 Common Cormorant, Nuttall. 

 Common Cormorant, rhalacrocorax Carbo, Aud. 



Specific Character — Bill dusky, lighter at the base of the lower 

 mandible ; general plumage black, glossed with blue ; a white patch 

 on the throat ; a similar marking on the sides of the body. In sum- 

 mer the head is furnished with long, narrow feathers. Length 37 

 inches, from tip to tip of expanded wings, 62, tail of 1 1 feathers. 



During autumn this much-despised bird is common in the middle 

 districts. In winter it is common in the Southern States. In spring 

 it passes on to the rocky shores of Newfoundland and Labrador, 

 where, according to Mr. Audubon, it breeds. It inhabits the sea 

 shore, and subsists by fishing. Alter having satisfied its gluttonous 



