303 BIBDS OF ILLINOIS, 



Family PHALACROCORACID-ffi.— The Cobmoeants. 



Ohabaotebs. Bill comparatively small (shorter than middle toe), variable as to out- 

 lines, but maxillary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked; nostrils obliterated; 

 lores, orbital rpgion, lower jaw, oliin, and upper part of throat naked. Middle toe longer 

 than, or about equal to, tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner toe about as 

 much shorter. Win»s raiher short, eonoave beneath, reahing but little, if any, beyond 

 base oE the tail; the latter variable as to length, usually r unded or graduated, com- 

 posed of twelve to fourteen stiff feathers with very rigid shafts, which are exposed al- 

 most to the extreme base, on account of the slight development of the, tail-eoverts. 

 Plumage very compact, usually dark colored and glossy, but lower parts sometimes, in 

 part at least, whitish. 



The Cormorants are funereal-looking, long-necked water birds, 

 which have a habit of perching in rows upon dead trees, or 

 upon rocks by the sea-shore, or swimming in loon-like fashion 

 upon the water. 



Only one genus is recognized, but it is a question whether this 

 should not be subdivided. 



Genus PHALACBOCORAX Bbisson. 



Phalaorooorax Bkibs. Orn. vi, 1760, 611. Type, Pelecanus carbo Lnm. 

 "Oarbo L(OBP. SI6m. de I'Inst. 1800-1801." 

 T/rile Bonap. Consp. il, 1856, 175. Type, Pelecwnus urile Gmel. 

 SypoJeucus Bbioh. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vii. Type, Peleeanus varius Ombi,. 

 Stictoearbo Bonap. "1854"; Consp. li, 1856, 174. Type, Pelecanus punotatus Omel. 

 Microcarbo Bonap. Type, Phalacrocorax pvemceus Pali,. 



Compsohalieus Bioaw. in B. B. & E. Water B. N. Am. 11,1884,145. Type, Carbo penicil- 

 latus Bbandt. ^ 



Gbn. Ohab. Same as those of the family Phalaorocoracidoe (see above). 



The following species are known to occur in Illinois: 



A. Larger (wing more than 11.00 inches); adults without white round base of gulai- 



poach: the nuptial plumage with superciliary tufts. 



1. F. diloplin8, Larger. 



2. F, dilophns floridaniu. Smaller. 



B. Smaller (wing less than 10.50 inches); adults with white line around base of gular 



pouch, but without superciliary tufts. 



3. F. mezioaniM. 



