144 TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEaANOPODES. 



Family PHALACEOCOKACID^. — The Cormokants. 



Char. Bill small (sliorter than the middle toe), variable in outline, but the 

 maxillary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked ; nostrils obliterated ; 

 lores, orbital region, lower ja\v, chin, and upper part of throat naked. Middle toe 

 longer than, or about equal to, the tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner 

 about as much shorter. Wings rather short, concave, reaching but little beyond 

 the base of the tail ; tail variable as to length, usually rounded or graduated, the 

 feathers stiff, with very rigid shafts, which are exposed almost to the base of the 

 tail, on account of the much abbreviated coverts. Plumage very compact, usually 

 dark-colored and glossy. 



GE^-us PHALACROCORAX, Brisson. 



Pclemvns, Linn. S. N. 1758 and 1766 (part). 



Phalacrocorax, Briss. Orn. VI. 1760, .511 (type, Pclccanus carlo, Linn.). 



Carhn, Lxctv. Mem. de I'liist. 1800-lSOl. 



Urilc, BoNAP. Consp. II. 185C, 175 (type, Pchcanus urile, Gmel. ). 



Ualie.us, Ilmg. Piodr. 1811, 279. — Bonap. Consp. II. 1856, 177 (type, Hijdrocorax melanoleucus, 



ViEILL.). 



Hydrocorax, Vieill. Analyse, 1816, 63. 



Graucalus, Guay, List Gen. 1841, 101. 



Gracidus, Gray, Gen. B. III. 1845, 667. 



H7jpo7euciis, Reich. 1853 (type, Pclccanua vnrius, Gmkl.). — Bonap. Consp. IL 1856, 173. 



Stictocarho, Bonap. "1854," Consp. II. 1856, 174 (type, Pdecanus punctatus, G.mel. ). 



Microcarho, "Bonap. 1856" (type, Phalacrocorax pyfjmceus, Pall.). 



Char. Same as those of the family. 



Note. — As in the case of the genus Pelecanus, it is quite likely that a systematic investigation 

 of the Cormorants will eventually require a subdivision of the genus Phalacrocorax, as here defined. 



Synopsis of North American Cormorants. 



.4. Bill robust, the maxillary unguis arched and strongly hooked, the culnien slightly concave in 

 the middle portion, and gently ascending basal ly. (Phalacrocorax.) 



a. Tail-feathers fourteen, 



1. P. carbo. Size large (largest of the genus). Adult, with white patch adjoining base of 



the gular pouch ; rest of head, neck, and lower parts blue-black ; back and wing-coverts 

 grayish brown, feathers bordered with black. In breeding-season, head covered witli 

 white filaments, occiput with a short mane-like black crest, and flanks with a large white 

 patch. Hub. Europe, and Northeastern North America. 



b. Tail-feathers twelve. 



2. P. dilophus. Usually smaller than P. carbo. Adult, greenish blue-black, the back and 



wings slaty brown, feathers bordered with black. In breeding-season, crown with a tul't 

 on each side (behind eye) of lengthened, curved, narrow black or white feathers. Hab. 

 Whole of North America. 



3. P. mexicanus. Veiy small (wing less than 10.50 inches). Adult, brownish black, with 



a while line bordering the base of the gular pouch ; mantle dull brownish slate, the 

 feathers narrowly bordered with black. In the breeding-season, head, neck, and anal 

 region ornamented with scattered small white filaments. Hab. Mexico, Cuba, and 

 southern border of United States, north to Kansas and Southern Illinois. 



