BRANDT'S CORMORANT AT MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA 



VISITORS to Monterey, California, on the Southern Pacific R. R., 

 who have taken what is known as the "Seventeen-Mile Drive," 

 may recall the rocky islet standing in the Pacific about a quarter 

 of a mile off the coast near Cypress Point. This islet and the Cor- 

 morants which each year nest upon it are shown in this group. 



Brandt's Cormorant also nests on other islets off our Pacific Coast, 

 and it is a regular visitor to the rocks off the Cliff House at San Fran- 

 cisco, where, however, it does not nest. 



Both when flying and when resting upon the water the Cormorant 

 suggests a large duck. The resemblance, however, is superficial, the 

 Cormorant being related to the Pelicans, Gannets, Anhinga and all other 

 birds which have the hind toe connected with the front toes by a web. 



The Cormorant is an expert diver and catches its food of fish by 

 pursuing it under water, the hooked bill of the bird doing good service, 

 while the broadly webbed feet propel it at great speed. It is the skill 

 of the Cormorants in fishing that has led both the Chinese and Japanese 

 fishermen to train the birds to act as assistants to them in pursuit of 

 their calling. 



The young Cormorant, in common with other members of its order, 

 and unlike the downy young of ducks and geese, is hatched naked and 

 passes more than a month in the nest. The young secure their food 

 by thrusting their heads down the parent's throat. At first sight one 

 might easily imagine that the old bird was trying to swallow its offspring. 



When the young bird is a few days old, a thick black down begins 

 to appear on it. Shortly after this coat becomes complete, it is suc- 

 ceeded by the flight plumage. This is dull brownish black, the glossy 

 plumage of maturity being acquired later. As special adornments of 

 the breeding season both the male and female Cormorants don certain 

 spiny, white nuptial feathers on the back or about the head and neck, 

 while the bare skin of the cheeks and pouch becomes brightly colored. 

 In Brandt's Cormorant, as will be observed, the pouch is rich blue and 

 the birds appear to distend it for the purpose of display. 



Cormorants, like their near relatives, are virtually voiceless, a harsh, 

 rasping call being their only note. 



