North American Birds Eggs. 65 



I 23a. Violet-green Cormorant. Phalacrocurax pclagicm robmtim. 



This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the Aleu- 

 tian Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the 

 Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the rocky islands. The eggs 

 are the same size as those of the preceding. Data.— Sitka Sound, July 28, 1896. 

 Nest on shelf of rock, 50 feet above surf; saucer-shaped, of seaweed and decom- 

 posed grass. Collector, Joseph Grinnell. 



123b. Baird Cormorant. Phalncrocorax pelagkus resplendotti. 



This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Washington south to Mexico. 

 They nest on the Farallones, but in smaller numbers than the other varieties 

 found there. Both the birds and their eggs are smaller than the preceding. 

 Sizeof eggs 2.20 X 1.40. 



1 24. Red-faced Cormorant. Phalacrocurnx urile. 

 Range.— Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to Japan in tlie winter. 



This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having the forehead bare. They 

 do not differ in their breeding habits from others of the family. That the Cor- 

 morants are expert fishermen may be seen from the fact that the Chinese tame 

 and have them catch fish for them, placing a ring around their neck to prevent 

 their swallowing the fish. Their nesting places are very filthy, being covered 

 with excrement and remains of fish that are strewn around the nests. They 

 breed in June laying three or four eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.50. 



PELICANS. Family PELECAMDAE. 



Pelicans are large, short legged, w'eb footed (all four toes joined by a web) 

 birds, the most noticeable feature of which is the long bill with its enormous 

 pouch suspended from lower mandible. This pouch, while normally contracted, 

 is capable of being distended to hold several quarts. It is used as a scoop in 

 which to catch small fish. Their skin is filled with numerous air cells, making 

 them very light and buoyant. 



125. American White Pelican. Pcleranus eriithriirbyiichos. 



Range. — Temperate North America, breeding in the interior, from Utah and 

 the Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five feet, are 

 entirely white except for the black primaries. They get their food by 

 approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their head beneath the 

 surface, sometimes scoop up a large number of fish at a time; after allowing the 

 water to run out of the sides of the mouth, they proceed to swallow their catch. 

 They nest in large communities on islands in some of the inland lakes. 



Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Shoal Lake, Manitoba furnish breeding ground for 

 many thousands of Pelicans. They build their simple nests on the ground, 

 making them of sticks and weeds. They generally lay two eggs, but often three 

 or four. Size 3.45 x 2.30. Data.— Egg Island, Great Salt Lake, June 19,1884. 

 Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, surrounded by a few sticks. 

 Collector, F. E. Leonard. 

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