56 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



where it doubtless nests in the dense growth of trees and bushes that 

 border most of the lagoons. 



The breeding habits of this species are similar to those of P. d. 

 floridamis — congregating in large communities and nesting in trees or 

 bushes. In some places along the South American seacoast the bird 

 nests on rocks as well as on shrubbery. 



The eggs are three or four in number, greenish-white in color, with 

 the usual chalky substance on their surface; sizes range from 2.10 to 

 2.35 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad. 



122. Phalacrocorax penicillatus (Brandt.) [645] 



Brandt's Cormorant. 



Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from extremity of Lower California to Washington Territory. 



The most common of the Cormorants breeding on the Farallones. 

 Its habits are the same as those of the other species, but it is of a more 

 sociable disposition, congregating in large communities to breed on the 

 shelving rocks and ridges. It does not alwaj^s choose the most inacces- 

 sible places for nesting. Like the others, it has great difficulty in con- 

 structing its nest, for as fast as it gathers the weeds together, the thieving 

 Western Gulls make away with them. So often are the Cormorants 

 molested in this manner that they frequently change their place of 

 nesting. The eggs are three, usually four, sometimes five in number, 

 light greenish-blue, with a chalky deposit on the surface. They meas- 

 ure as small as 56 x 38 mm., and as large as 66.5 x 38 mm.* 



123. Phalacrocorax pelaglcus Pall. 



Pelagic Conaorant, 



Hab. Aleutian and Kurile Islands, and Kamtschatka, south to Japan. 



This beautiful Cormorant is abundant in the Aleutian and Kurile 

 Islands and those along the coast of Kamtschatka, where it breeds. 



Dr. lyconhard Stejneger says it is a very abundant resident of Cop- 

 per and Bering Islands, breeding on all the most rugged and steep 

 promontories which rise immediately from the sea, as well as on the 

 outlying islets and stones. Eggs, three or four in number. Three eggs 

 collected at Bering Island, June 8, exhibit the following dimentions: 

 56 by 37.5, 53 by 37, 59 by 35, mm.f Two from Copper Island, taken 

 July 14, measure 59 by 34.75, 58 by 35, mm.t The color and general 

 characteristics of the eggs do not differ from those of other cormorants. 

 123a. Phalacrocorax pelaglcus robustus Rmcw. [646.] 



, ., , Violet-green Cormorant. 



Hab. Coast of Alaska. 



On the rocky coasts and islands of Alaska the Violet-green Cormo- 



* 2.20x1.50,2.62x1.50. 



t 2.20x1.48, 2.09x1.45, 2.32x1.46. 



t 2.38x1.37, 2,28xl.3S. 



