726 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — STEGANOPODES. 



especially considering the shape of the pouch ; the skin is usually brightly colored, and some- 

 times caruncnlate. The eyes, as a rule, are green — a color not common among birds. These 

 birds are highly psilopaedic as well as altricial ; the young are for some time blind, naked, and 

 perfectly helpless. 



Twenty-five species of Cormorants may be considered established. Their study is difficult, 

 owing to the great changes in plumage, the high normal variability in size, and their close 

 inter-relation, which is such that the single genus Chraculus does not appear capable of well- 

 founded division. Species are found all over the world, excepting the uttermost polar regions, 

 and are usually very abundant in individuals ; they are all very much alike in their habits. 

 Many are maritime, but others range over fresh waters as well. They are eminently grega- 

 rious, especially in the breeding season, when they congregate by thousands — the boreal 

 kinds generally on rock-begirt coasts and islands, those of warm countries in the dense fringes 

 of shrubbery. They often migrate in large serried ranks. The nest is rude and bulky ; the 

 eggs are commonly two or three, of elliptical form and pale greenish color, overlaid with a 

 white chalky substance. The Connorants feed principally upon fish, and their voracity is 

 proverbial, though probably no greater than that of allied birds. Under some circumstances 

 they show an intelligent docility; witness their semi- domestication by the Chinese, who train 

 them to fish for their masters, a close collar being slipped around the neck to prevent them 

 from swallowing the booty. 

 308. PHAIiACRO'CORAX. (Gr. (paKaKpoKopa^, phalahroTmrax ; Lat. phalacrocorax, a cormo- 

 rant, sea-crow, corvus marmus : ^uXaicpos, phalakros, bald, and Kopa^, korax, a, raven.) 

 CoKMOKANTS. Character as above said. There appears to be but one genus in the family, 

 but several groups of species may be cited subgenerically. There are three such groups among 

 our species, respectively exempUfled by P. carho, P. dihphus, and P. violaceus. 



Analysis of Species. 

 Tail of 14 feathers. 



Gular sac lieart-shaped behind, bordered with wliite ... carbo 750 



Tail of 12 feathers, 



Gkilax sac convex or nearly straight-edged behind. 

 No white border behind gular sac. , 



Lateral crests of curly feathers on sides of head. 



Largest: length abont 36.00. Developing white filaments on head in breeding season. 



N. W. Coast ... cincirmatus 752 



Medium : length 30 00-33.00. Scarcely or not developing white filaments on head in breed- 

 ing season. At large . , dilqphus 751 



Small : length 30.00 or less. Probably not developing white filaments. S. E. Coast 



Jloridanus 753 

 Small: size of the last. Developing white filaments. S. W. Coast. . . . albociliams 753a 

 A border of white feathers behind the sac. 



Very small : length about 24.00 . . mexieanus 764 



Gular sac heart-shaped behind. (No lateral crests. ) 



Sac dark-blue, bordered by a fawn-colored gorget Feathers of back distinct, dark-edged 



2}endcillatU8 755 

 Sac not bordered with a colored gorget. No distinct colored edges of feathers of back. 



.Shafts of tail-feathers said to be white . perspicillatus 766 



Shafts of tail-feathers not white. 



Frontal feathers not reaching bill, which is entirely surrounded with red skin ■, base of 



bill blue bicHstatus 757 



Frontal feathers reaching bill. 



Larger: wing 10.00 or more violaceus 758 



Smaller: wing under 10.00 bairdi 759 



750. P. car'bo. (Lat. carbo, carbon : from the black color.) Common Coemoeant. Shag. 

 Adult $ 9 : Tail of 14 feathers (here only among our species). Grular sac heart-shaped 

 behind. Bill blackish, whitish along edges and at base below. Iris green. Skin about eyes 

 livid greenish, orange under the eye ; sac yellow, bordered behind by a gorget of white 

 feathers. General plumage glossy greenish-black ; feathers of back and wing-coverts distinct ' 



