NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 55 



to the water's edge, so that when the lake was rough the water must 

 have splashed into many of them. 



The eggs, four or five in number, are described as being of an 

 elongated oval, pale green, covered more or less with challky coatings. 

 They average 2.42 x 1.48. Captain Bendire states that the largest set in 

 a number exhibits the following measurements: 2.86x1.60, 2.70X 1.65, 

 2.66x1.64, 2.70x1.60. A single egg was found measuring 1.80x1.20.* 



l2Qc. Phalacrocorax dilophus albociliatus Eidgw. 



Farallone Cormorant. 



Hab. Coast of California, south to Cape St. Lucas and islands of the coast of Mexico. 



This bird is as common on the Farallones as Baird's Cormorant, 

 and it nests on the rough ridges or points of rocks overlooking the isl- 

 ands. About the first of May they may be seen carrying weeds and 

 dry sea kelp to their nesting sites, where they construct a flat, loose 

 and bulky platform, which is, on the whole, quite a shallow structure. 



Their nesting is similar to that of other Cormorants, and they may 

 be observed sitting on their empty nests for hours at a time, probably, 

 as Mr. Emerson suggests, for the purpose of working out the hollow of 

 their nests with their large feet, for which purpose they are so well 

 suited. 



By the middle of the month they have begun to deposit their lime 

 covered eggs. These compare well with those of Brandt's Cormorant, 

 and are a little larger than the eggs of Baird's. A set of five in Mr. 

 Emerson's possession measure as follows : 60 x 50, 61 x 39, 62 x 39, 

 60x40, 62x39 mm.f respectively ; these were taken May 20, 1886; 

 their general form is rather ovate oval, and quite round at the greater 

 end. Their color and general characteristics are the same as those 

 peculiar to other Cormorants' eggs — light greenish in color and coated 

 with a chalky substance. 



Four eggs seem to be the number commonly laid ; both male and 

 female assist in the process of incubation, one remaining on the nest 

 or beside it while the other is off on a short fishing excursion.^ 



121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt.) [644.] 



Meacican Cormorant. 



Hab. Southern United States, north to the interior of Kansas and Southern Illinois. 



The Mexican Cormorant is a tropical species found on the coasts 

 and inland marshes of Mexico, Yucatan, and Central and South Amer- 

 ica, where it breeds. It is mentioned by Dr. Merrill as being a common 

 summer resident in Southwestern Texas, in the vicinity of Fort Brown, 



'' Ornithologist and Oologist, VII, p. 138. 

 t 2.36x1.67, 2.40x1.54, 2.44x1.54, 2.36x1.57, 2.44x1.54. 

 From my article on the eggs of this Cormorant in Forest and Stream, Vol. XXVIII, p. 1.53 



