The Brandt Cormorant 



Recognition Marks. — Eagle size; bluish and fawn-colored gorget most dis- 

 tinctive at close quarters; general absence of positive characteristics itself distinctive 

 at greater range. 



Nesting. — Nest: A substantial crater of moss, sea-weed, and compacted grasses, 

 deeply cupped, placed on level surface of rock, usually crest of islet. Eggs: 4; pale 

 bluish green overlaid with white calcareous deposit; elliptical ovate or elongate ovate. 

 Av. size 62.5 x 38.6 (2.46 x 1.48); index 61.7; av. of a set of 3 selected for low index: 

 67.8 x 37.6 (2.67 x 1.48); index 55.4; index of narrowest egg 53.6. Season: May 20- 

 June 20; one brood. 



General Range. — Pacific Coast of North America from Vancouver Island to 

 Cape San Lucas. 



Distribution in California. — Abundant resident along the entire seacoast 

 and about the Santa Barbara Islands. Not found away from salt water. Numbers 

 south of Point Conception augmented in winter. 



Authorities. — Gambel (Carbo penicillatus), Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., ser. 

 2, i., 1849, p. 227 (Monterey); Loomis, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, vol. v., 1895, 

 p. 177 (desc. of breeding colony at Monterey) ; Ray, Auk, vol. xxi., 1904, p. 437, pi. (desc. 

 of breeding colony on Farallon Ids.); Howell, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 12, 1917. 



Taken on the Southeast Farallon 



Photo by the Author 



AN OLD NESTING GROUND 



BRANDT CORMORANTS MAY BE SEEN STANDING GUARD UPON THEIR NESTS, BUT CALIFORNIA 

 MURRES ARE MORE IN EVIDENCE 



IQ49 



