152 



TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS — STEGANOPODES. 



in Pacific coast examples ; specimens from the interior of the continent having the tnfts mixed 

 black and white. The question of whether a subspecies jlondanus shouhl be recognized involves 

 the expediency of recognizing a fourth race in the resident bird of the Californian (including the 

 Lower Californian) coast, which differs from the true P. cincinnatus of the northern Pacific coast 

 in exactly the same characters that distinguish the so-called fioridanus froni dilophus proper ; 

 i. e., in smaller size, with relatively weaker bill, the difference in the two cases being apparently 

 greater in the case of the western forms. Regarding the small Californian bird with white crests 

 as being much more entitled to recognition as a race than fioridanus, Mr. Ridgway has already 

 separated it as such under the name of albocUiatus. 



The following measurements of specimens from various localities will convey an idea of the 

 geographical variation in size in this species : — 



a. Five specimens from Northeastern North America, 



Wiug. Tail. Cu'.men. 



Maximum, 12.90 7.50 2.45 



Average, 12. -16 7-15 2.36 



Minimum, 12.20 6.50 2.10 



c. Six specimens from Southern Illinois and loioa. 



Wing. Tail. Culraen. 



Maximum, 13.00 8.00 2.35 



Average, 12.34 7.29 2.10 



Minimnm, 12.00 7.00 2.00 



h. Ten specimens from Florida. 



Wing. Tail. Cuhnen. 



Maximum, 12.50 7.75 2.40 



Average, 11.77 7.00 2.17 



Minimum, 11.20 6.50 2.00 



d. Two specimens from Great Salt Lake, Utah. 



Wing. Tail. Culmen. 



Maximum, 12.60 7.50 2.20 



Average, 12.55 7.37 2.17 



Minimum, 12.50 7.25 2.15 



e. Twelve specimens from coast of California and f. Seven specimens from Noi^thwest coast (including 



Lower California. 



one each from Nevada and Oregon). 



The above figures would of course be somewhat changed were an equal number of specimens 

 from each region measured. The general result, however, would in all probability be the same, 

 showing a gradual diminution in size to the southward. 



The Double-crested Cormorant is an exclusively North American species ; it is 

 found both on the Atlantic and on the Pacific coast, and is also not uncommon on our 

 inland waters ; differing essentially in this respect from the carbo. Mr. Bernard Eoss 

 met with it in the neighborhood of Great Slave Lake, where he saw no other form 

 of Cormorant. Two examples were obtained at Sitka by Mr. Bischoff. It w-as also 

 found on Vancouver Island by Mr. R. Browne. It is an unsuspicious species, and 

 may be easily approached and shot. 



Dr. Cooper describes this species as common along the Pacific coast ; and, as he also 

 states, he has met with it on the Colorado, ir small numbers, in vv'inter — although, 

 like all other fishing birds, the Cormorant inclines to avoid that river, on account of the 

 muddiness of its waters. This bird is said to be a permanent resident along the 

 whole of the Pacific coast; and north of the Columbia River it is found on clear 



