Wayne: Birds of South Carolina. 11 



(Anhinga anhinga) and the Wood Ibis (Mycteria americana) are 

 locally known on this coast as "Gannets," and the birds 

 seen by Mr. Giles must have belonged to one of these species. 



Mr. Ellison A. Smyth, Jr., informs me that in the winters of 

 1883 and 1884 he saw Gannets off Charleston Bar. 



FAMILY ANHINGIDJS : DARTERS. 



28. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.). Water Turkey; Snake Bird. 



This peculiar bird is a summer residept which breeds abund- 

 antly in the cypress swamps or in large rice-field reservoirs, al- 

 ways avoiding salt water. In some forward seasons, a few birds 

 arrive during the second week in March, and they are always 

 abundant by March 21. 



My earliest breeding record is April 25, 1908, when I took four 

 fresh eggs. The nests, which are composed of sticks, are some- 

 times placed in the tops of the highest cypress trees, but they 

 are usually built in small willows growing in water. The eggs 

 are usually four in number, bluish white, with a calcareous 

 coating, and measure 2.15X1-25. This species migrates south- 

 ward upon the approach of autumn. 



FAMILY PHALACROCORACID^E: CORMORANTS. 



29. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.). Cormorant. 



I have never seen this fine species alive, but there were two 

 mounted specimens in the Charleston Museum which were said 

 to have been taken in South Carolina. 



One of these birds in full nuptial plumage has been recorded by 

 Mr. William Brewster. 1 



The Cormorant breeds adundantly in Labrador. 



30. Phalacrocorax auritus (Less.). Double-crested 

 Cormorant. 



A winter visitant, arriving at the end of November and remain, 

 ing until early in March. Every afternoon these birds fly out 

 to sea to pass the night, and, at break of day, flock after flock 

 may be seen returning to the tidal creeks and sounds in quest of 

 food. They are at all times very shy and can rarely be approached 

 within gunshot. 



'Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VIII, 1883, 186. 



