48 WATER BIRDS 



grace and agility of a swallow, scarcely pausing in its 

 flight, as it picks dragon-flies from the low rushes or 

 catches them in midair. Fish proper it scorns. Cray- 

 fish forms some part of its diet, though possibly only a 

 small part. It is found circling over a marshy meadow 

 as well as above the more open water of the lakes, and 

 its nesting site is not infrequently an almost dry pool. 

 The choice of these often seems to be a mere matter of 

 whim, but probably is determined by the abundance of 

 insect life in the locality. 



120 c. FARALLONE CORMORANT. — Phalacrocorax 

 auritus atbociliatus. 



Family : The Cormorants. 



Length: 25.00-31.00. 



Adults : Greenish black merging to grayish brown on back and winga. 



All the feathers of these parts bordered with black, producing a 



scaled effect. 

 Nuptial Plumage : On each side of head behind the eye there is a small 



tuft of long, curved, whitish feathers ; gular sac bright orange. 

 Young : Head and neck brownish gray shading to light on chin, and 



dark on top of head; under parts brownish, darker on sides ; gular 



sac yellow. 

 Geographical Distribution: California, south to Cape St. Lucas and the 



Revilla Gigedo Islands. 

 Breeding Range : Farallone Islands. 

 Breeding Season : May and June. 



Nest : A loosely constructed mat of kelp, seaweed, and sometimes twigs. 

 Eggs: From 4 to 5 ; light greenish, covered with chalky film. Size 



2.40 X 1.54. 



The Farallone Cormorant may be recognized from the 

 other species on the Farallone Islands by the long white 

 tufts over the eyes. In nesting habits it is identical with 

 Brandt's cormorant, nor can the eggs of the two species 



