418 THE COMMON CORMORANT. 



markings on the head and thighs, they might readily be mistaken for a 

 different species, by a person unacquainted with their habits. 



The singular fact that the young of some species of Cormorant have open 

 nostrils until they are nearly half-grown, may surprise you as much as it 

 surprised me. Having observed it in many individuals, I preserved one in 

 spirits, and of it you will find a description beneath. 



The Common Cormorant is rarely seen farther south than the extreme 

 limits of Maryland; but from Chesapeake Bay eastward, it becomes more 

 plentiful; and in severe winters, I have seen it exposed for sale in the New 

 York market. They are abundant in winter around the islands of the Bay of 

 Boston, and on the coasts of Massachusetts and Maine, where most of them 

 remain during autumn, winter, and the early part of spring, as well as on the 

 Bay of Fundy and along the shores of Nova Scotia. I am unable to say 

 how far north they go beyond Labrador, to breed, or what may be the limits 

 of their range on the St. Lawrence in autumn. I have never seen one on a 

 tree, or on fresh water. The flesh of this species is dark, tough, and fish}?, 

 its eggs also do not furnish agreeable food, and it is seldom that either are 

 eaten, even by epicures. 



Phalacrocorax Carbo, Bonap. Syn., p. 402. 



Cormorant, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 479. 



Common Cormorant, Phalacrocorax Carbo, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 458. 



Male, 37, 62. 



Ranges during winter southward to New York. Abundant from Massa- 

 chusetts eastward. Breeds on high precipitous rocks, in Newfoundland, 

 Labrador, and Baffin's Bay. Migratoiy. 



Adult Male in March. 



Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, somewhat compressed, 

 straight, with the tip curved. Upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping 

 and slightly concave, at the tip decurved, its ridge broad and rounded, and 

 separated from the sides by a narrow groove, the sides erect, irregularly 

 scaly, convex, the edges sharp and straight as far as the unguis, at the base a 

 distinct horny plate, the unguis strong, convex above, incurved, acute. No 

 external nostrils when full-grown. Lower mandible with the angle long and 

 very narrow towards the end, filled by an extensible membrane, which 

 extends a short way down the throat, its short dorsal line a little convex, 

 then concave, the sides scaly, erect, and slightly convex, the edges sharp and 

 inflected, the tip compressed and obliquely truncate. 



Head rather large, oblong, narrowed before. Neck long and stout. Body 

 rather full, depressed. Feet short, stout, placed far behind; tibia feathered 

 in its whole length; tarsus very short, strong, much compressed, covered all 



