350 



AFPENEIX. 



I shot one specimen of this curious bird on the base of tlie 

 rocky cape at the entrance of the Columbia river, in November 

 1836. It was sitting on the edge of the steep rocks, and the 

 heavy surf frequently dashed its spray over it, as it foraged 

 among the retreating waves. When it started, it flew with a 

 quick, jerking motion of its wing, and alighted again at a short 

 distance. Although I resided for many weeks in the vicinity of 

 the cape, I never saw a second specimen. The stomach, 

 which was remarkably strong and muscular, contained fragments 

 of a small black shell fish, of the genus Modiola, which adheres 

 in clusters to the rocks. 



Violet-green Cormorant. 

 Phalacrocorax *splendens. (Toavns. in lit. to Audubon.) 

 nP. resplendens (Audubon.) Birds of America Vol. IV., pi, 412. 

 Female in winter. 



Bill greenish-dusky, blackish above ; front, light sea-green, 

 which color passes behind the eye, and around the gular region, 

 occupying the chief portion of the neck below ; neck above, 

 deep Prussian blue, with strong reflections of purple ; lateral part 

 of the neck lighter, with numerous minute specks of white, 

 formed by very small, hair-like feathers ; whole upper parts deep 

 green, reflecting shades of purple and violet ; wings greenish, 

 varied with dusky ; bare space on the gullet contracted, of a 

 yellowish-red color ; it includes the eye, but does not extend in 

 front to the lores ; tail long, rounded, dusky ; below, the colors 

 are nearly the same as the back ; a few white spots on the in- 

 ferior portion of the flanks. Legs and feet black ; the middle 

 claw strongly pectinated. Irides light sea-green. Length about 

 2 feet. 



This most splendid of all the species of cormorants yet disco- 

 vered, inhabits in considerable numbers the Rocky Cape at the 

 entrance of the Columbia river, upon the sides of which it often 

 rests, and no doubt rears its young within the natural cavities 

 which front the tempestuous ocean, and in situations wholly in- 

 accessible to man. Sometimes many weeks elapse in which not 

 a single cormorant is seen, when suddenly a flock of fifty or six- 

 ty, is observed to enter the bay, every individual of which imme- 

 diately commences an assiduous search for the small fish 

 and mollusca which constitute its food. It never ascends the 



