PHALACROCORACID.t; — THE UOUMORANTS — rilALACROCOUAX. 163 



but without tlie wliite flnnk patches or filamnntous feathers on neck and rump. Young : Uniform 

 lirowiiish dusky, witli a faint purplish cast, the upper parts darker and more glossy. " I3a.«e of 

 iiiaiKliliU's dull asliy blue, with a narrow orange atripe around it, but the borders of the nuked 

 lu.iuluane iU-definwl " (W. H. 

 Dm.i.. MS.) ; iris brown ; legs 

 jiiid left black. Downy ynumj: 

 riiii'onu Mtoty grayish brown. 



Tiital length, about 33 to 

 ;?.") iiiclu'.^ ; extent, 48 ; wing, 

 l(i..M)-ll.(iO (10.94); tail, (i.30 

 -s.(M) {'liTii) ; euhuen, 2.()r>- 

 ■i:.\o (lMC)) ; tarsus, l.T.'J-^.SO 

 (:;.17) ; outer toe, 3.10-3.70 

 (;i. It). [Fifteen specimens 

 nica.fured.J 



This species' is very similar 

 tn /'. pi'laiticns, but may be 

 reaiiily distinguished, at all 

 agi's, l)y the strip of naked skin 

 aridss the ba.^e of the culmen, 



tiif same region being covered by the frontal feathers in P. pelagicus. The colors of the adult 

 arc also ijuite appreciably dilferent, the neck Iteing less purple, while the scapulars are decidedly 

 more so ; the lower parts are rather more bronzy than in peUujicm. 



Tills appears to be a species peculiar to the North Pacific region, occurring on the 

 Asiatic coast from Kaiutschatka to Formosa, and Japan. On the Americiin shore it 

 has not been met with south of Alaska ; but it is said to be abundant on the coast 

 of dapan. where specimens were obtained in March, 1865, by Mr. H. Whitely near 

 Ilakodadi ("Ibis," 1867). 



y\\\ Dall found it abundant on the Island of St. George, where he obtained speci- 

 mens, and whence its eggs have since been ju'ocured. The cidors reflected from its 

 fcatiiers during life are said to be very brilliant, ami the skin near the eye passes 

 from bright crimson, near the bill, to a bright bluish purple toward the feathers. 



iMr. Henry W. Elliott met with this species in great abundance through the whole 

 year on the I'rybilof Islands, it being — as he states — the oidy one of its tribe visit- 

 ing that group of islands. The terrible storms occurring in February and March are 

 tint sufficient to drive it away from the sheltered cliffs, while all other species — even 

 till' (Jreat Northern Gull {L. ghiucits) — depart for the open water scmth. This spe- 

 cies resorts to the cliffs to make its nest, and is the earliest of the sea-birds to 

 apjx'ar in that region. Two eggs were taken from a nest on the reef at St. I'aul's 

 Island, June 1, 1872 — a date over three weeks in advance of tin; breeding of almost 

 all the other Water Fowl. The nests were large, carefully rounded up, and built upon 

 some jutting point, or on a narrow shelf, along the face of a cliff or bluff. In their 

 construction sea-ferns (Serfiihiridtr), grass, etc., are used, together with a cement made 

 largely of the excrements of the bird itself. 



The eggs are usually three in number — sometimes four — and very small, as com- 

 paicd with the size of the bird. They .are oval, of a dirty whitish-gray green and blue 

 color, but soon become soiled ; for although its plumage is sleek and bright, the bird 

 itself is exceedingly slovenly, and filthy alwut its nest. The young come from the 

 siiell after three weeks' incubation, without feathers, and almost bare even of down. 

 Tiicy grow rapidly, being fed by the old birds, who in doing this eject the contents 

 of their stomachs — such as small fish, crabs, and shrimps — till over and around the 

 nest. In about six weeks the young Cormorant can take to its wings, being then as 



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