62 BIRDS 



only a few feet, or in the upper branches of high trees, but 

 always over water. Though web-footed, it is strong enough 

 to grasp tightly the perch on which it nests. This gives it 

 a great advantage over the common duck, which can nest 

 only on the ground. Sometimes snake birds breed in colo- 

 nies with various species of herons. From three to five 

 eggs, bluish or dark-greenish white, are usually found in the 

 nest. 



DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT 



Cormorants, sometimes called water turkeys, are similar 

 in construction to our pelicans, but the loose skin on the 

 throat is comparatively inconspicuous, while the pelican has 

 a pouch capable of great distension. The sea coast of 

 America, particularly the Pacific, is the home of many cor- 

 morants of several varieties, but the double-crested is prac- 

 tically the only inland species, occurring from Illinois and 

 Iowa northward into Canada during the breeding season. 

 They are gregarious at all times, even nesting in colonies. 

 Twenty-five years ago this large bird appeared in the river 

 bottoms of the Illinois, but the timid creatures retire at the 

 encroach of civilization. Cormorants have all four toes 

 connected by a continuous web. The tail feathers are long 

 and stiff, and the birds use this appendage in progressing 

 underneath the water, where they capture fish. Like ducks, 

 the cormorants in flight extend the neck and legs to their 

 full length. 



Of the thirty varieties of cormorants inhabiting the 

 globe, one-third are American. When disturbed the cor- 

 morants fly at low altitudes, usually over the water. Their 



