376 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



7. Carbo Gaimardii [Gamot). 



Pelecanus Gaimardii, Garnot, Voy. Coquille, Zool. I, p. 601 (1826). 

 Phalacrocorax cirriger, KiNG, Zool. Jour. IV, p. 103 (1828). 



Voy. Coquille, Birds, Plate XL VIII ; Reich. Vollst. Naturg. Birds, 

 Plate LXI, fig. 370. 



Excellent specimens of this bird are in the collection of the Expe- 

 dition. It is remarkable for the light and delicate ash-color of its 

 plumage, and is now well known as a common species of Western 

 South America, though it appears to have escaped the attention of the 

 earlier naturalists. 



According to Dr. Pickering, this handsome Cormorant is of quite 

 frequent occurrence on the coast of Chili and Peru, and breeds on the 

 Island of San Lorenzo. With reference to the latter fact, we make 

 the following extract from his journal : 



" We were surprised at the variety and great numbers of the sea- 

 birds constantly to be seen in the harbor of Callao, attracted appa- 

 rently by the abundance of fishes. On the south side of the Island of 

 San Lorenzo, we found the breeding-places of several of these birds, 

 on cliffs almost inaccessible. Each species seemed to have a village 

 or district appropriated for itself. That of the Sterna inca was the 

 most extensive, and it was most numerous. Next came the White- 

 headed Booby, and farther on to the westward, was the district of the 

 Carho Gaimardii. Of this bird, some of the nests contained eggs, 

 while in others were to be seen young birds in various stages, some 

 half grown, and others just ready to fly; always in pairs, so far as . 

 came under our observation." 



This is another of the species of Cormorants which have troubled 

 ornithologists to provide for in generic arrangement. It has been 

 variously assigned to the genera Pelecanus, Phalacrocorax, Carho, Gra- 

 calus, and Htjpoleiicus, and is the type of the new Genus Sticticarho, 

 Bonaparte, Conspectus Avium, II, p. 174. In form and other general 

 characters, it is very similar to several other and dark-colored species, 

 and is probably only entitled to a subgeneric distinction. It is one of 

 the most handsome birds of this family, and is accurately represented 

 in the plate of the Zoology of the Voyage of the Coquille, above men- 

 tioned. 



