OF ORNITHOLOGY 125 



and under mandible ; nostrils very insignificant ; wings very 

 long ; tail very short ; tarsus short, stout, and reticulated, toes 

 long and fully webbed. In general, excepting the bill and its 

 accompanying sac, they greatly resemble immense and slug- 

 gish Gannets. The Pelicans are largely gregarious, preferring 

 tropical and sub-tropical regions ; yet there are few species 

 known to science. 

 Genus, Pelecanus. 3 species. 



Professor Baird appears to have given us two sub-genera : Cyrtopelicanus 

 (White Pelican) and Onocrotalus (Brown Pelican). At least, if consider- 

 ing only the American species they might rank as such. In a classifica- 

 tion of Universal ornithology they might take generic rank. 



FAMILY LIV PHALACROCORACIDAE THE 



CORMORANTS 



Latin phalacro | corax (Greek similar) a sea-raven, a cormorant. 

 Unlike the Pelicans the Cormorants are not so easily identi- 

 fied, at first sight, to a novice, as might be supposed ; and yet 

 when once known they are easily remembered. They average 

 about the size of the Gaunets, yet some are much smaller and 

 others much larger. The general color of the plumage is 

 more or less metallic and black. Their general characteris- 

 tics are rather difficult of easy definition. A single careful 

 glance at a specimen will serve to fix it in the mind better 

 than a fuller and more careful diagnosis of the family or than 

 any mere description. I shall quote Professor Baird's descrip- 

 tion of the family characteristics : 



" Bill rather moderate, culmen concave, tip much hooked 

 and acute ; nostrils not perceptible ; wings moderate and 

 pointed ; tail rather short and rounded ; tarsi short ; toes long 

 and all joined by full webs ; gular sac capable of considerable 

 expansion." 



This, in general, will give a very fair idea of the Cormor- 

 ants, yet is far from satisfactory. The long neck and the 

 shape of the head and bill are marked peculiarities. The legs 

 also are situated so far in the rear of the body as to give these 



