62 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



at that distance was more pleasant than it might have been closer 

 by, for these birds, though apparently cleanly, carry with them a 

 most unsavory odor. 



This is another North Atlantic species which is found breeding on 

 the rocky ledges along the shores of both continents. It is gregari- 

 ous, living in thickly-settled communities, the sanitary condition of 

 which prevents their being popular with excursionists, so that the 

 birds when at home are seldom disturbed. 



On the rocky shore of Newfoundland it is especially abundant, 

 and was also found by Mr. Frazer in Labrador. It has been observed 

 .singly or in pairs, at Ottawa, Hamilton, London and other points, 

 i)ut the species seldom leases the sea coast. Those observed inland 

 are apparently stragglers which by chance or choice ha^e wandered 

 for a time away from their usual habitat. 



PHALACROCORAX DIL0PHU8 (Sw. A Rich.). 

 32. Double-crested Cormorant. (120) 



Tail of twelve feathers, gular sac convex or nearly straight-edged behind ; 

 ylossy greenish-black ; feathers of the back and wings, coppery -gray, black- 

 shafted, black -edged ; adult with curly black lateral crests, and in the breeding 

 season other filamentous white ones over the eyes and along the sides of the 

 neck ; white flank-patch, not observed in the specimens examined, but probably 

 occurring ; gular sac and lores, orange ; eyes, green. Length, 30-33 inches ; 

 wing, 12 or more; tail, 6 or more; bill along gape, 3i; tarsus, a little over 2. 

 Voiuir/: — Plain dark brown, paler or grayish (even white on the breast) below, 

 without head plumes. 



H.iB. — Eastern coast of Xorth America, breeding from the Bay of Fnndy 

 northward ; southward in the interior to the Great Lakes and Wisconsin. 



Eggs, two or three, bluish-green. 



This, like the common species, occasionally visits the inland lakes, 

 and is distinguished by its smaller size and richer plumage. The 

 specimen in my collection I shot off Huckleberrj- Point, when it rose 

 from a partially submerged stump that it had been using for a short 

 time as a fishing station. All the Cormorants have the reputation of 

 Ijeing voracious feeders, and they certainly have a nimble way of 

 catching and swallowing their prey, but it is not likely that they con- 

 .sume more than other birds of similar size. 



Though this species breeds along the sea coast on both sides of 

 the Atlantic, it has also been found breeding in colonies in the 



