20 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 76 



Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax aurittis), Rspm, FCsr 

 (30 April-25 September). Specimen: UAM3135. 



Cormorants nested on offshore islands and migrated along the 

 coast. We recorded low numbers of cormorants migrating past Cape 

 Peirce in 1976. Cormorants were seen at the Walrus Islands, in Togiak 

 Bay, and on the Togiak River. They nested on Shaiak Island (Fig. 11) and 

 on Bird Rock near Cape Newenham (present study) and on Summit 

 Island in June-July 1977 (Ameson 1977). They were common in 

 Chagvan Bay during 23-28 July 1969 Q. L. Hout, personal communica- 

 tion). Birds foraged in rivers, nearshore waters, and inshore waters in 

 all areas where they were observed. Cormorants from Shaiak Island 

 congregated on beaches in Nanvak Bay during summer and flew over- 

 land to and from Shaiak Island daily. 



The number of nesting pairs on Shaiak Island varied from 125 in 1973 

 to 300 in 1976. Nests were clustered on low, broad ledges, on flat rocks, 

 or on the ground, mostly on the highest parts of the island. Sixty clutches 

 averaged 4.23 ± 0.90 eggs per nest (range, 3~5) on 14 June 1973. Thirteen 

 pairs fledged 1.62 ± 0.18 young per nest (range, 1-3) in 1976; egg laying 

 began about 7 June, hatching was from 2 to 10 July, and fledging was 

 from 7-29 August 1976. At least six pairs on partially completed nests 

 were on Bird Rock on 21 May 1973, and J.L. Hout (personal communica- 



Fig. 11. Double-crested cormorants and nests with eggs; Shaiak Island, 1 4 June 

 1973. Photo by M. H. Dick. 



