THE BIRD BOOK 
122. Brandt’s Cormorant. 
123. Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pel- 
agicus pelagicus. 
Range. — Coast of Alaska. 
These are perhaps the most beautiful species of Cor- 
morants, having brilliant violet green metallic reflec- 
tions and, in the breeding plumage, crests on the fore- 
head and nape, as well as large white flank patches. 
They breed in large colonies on the Aleutian Islands, 
placing their nests of sticks and sea mosses on the rocky 
ledges, often hundreds of feet above the sea level. Three 
or four eggs are laid during May and June. The young 
birds' when hatched are naked and black, and are re- 
pulsive looking objects, as are those of all the other Cormorants. The eggs 
are greenish white with the usual calcareous deposit. Size 2.30 x 1.40. 
Phalacrocorax penicillatus. 
Range.- — Pacific coast breeding along the whole coast 
of the United States. 
This species is found more abundantly on the Faral- 
lones than is the Farallone Cormorant. Like the other 
Cormorants breeding on these islands, these cling closely 
to their nests, for fear of being robbed by the Gulls, that 
are ever on the watch to steal either eggs or young. 
Their nesting habits and eggs are identical with those of 
the other species. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data. — Bird Island, 
California, May 24, 1885. A very bulky nest of seaweed 
on the rocks. Collector, A. M. Ingersoll. 
123a. Violet-green Cormorant. Phalacro- 
corax pelagicus rohustus. 
This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the Aleu- 
tian Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the 
Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the 
rocky islands. The eggs are the same size as those of 
the preceding. 
123b. Baird’s Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pel- 
agicus resplendens. 
This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Wash- 
ington south to Mexico. They nest on the Farallones, 
but in smaller numbers than the other varieties found 
there. Both the birds and their eggs are smaller than 
the preceding. Size of eggs 2.20 x 1.40. 
1 24. Red-faced Cormorant. Phalacrocorax urile. 
Range. — Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to 
Japan in the winter. 
This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having 
the forehead bare. They do not differ in their breeding 
habits from others of the family. That the Cormorants 
are expert fishermen may be seen from the fact that the 
Chinese tame and have them catch fish for them, placing 
a ring around their neck to prevent their swallowing the 
fish. Their nesting places are very filthy, being covered 
with excrement and remains of fish that are strewn 
around the nests. They breed in June laying three or 
four eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.50. 
123b — 124 
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