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106. Leach’s Petrel (Including Kaeding’s and Beal's Petrels). Oceanodroma 
leucorhoa. L,8. A small, sooty-brown Petrel, very slightly paler below, with a white 
rump. Tail slightly forked, outer feathers three-quarters of an inch longer than centre ones. 
Distinctions. Sooty-brown coloration instead of ashy grey as the Fork-tailed Petrel. 
Field Marks. Sooty-brown coloration and white rump. 
Distribution. North Pacific and north Atlantic oceans. In the former breeding 
south to Lower California. Our only ascertained breeding locality for this species in 
British Columbia is on Queen Charlotte islands, though one is reported from cape 
Flattery in Washington. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Ornithologists’ Union Committee recognizes two 
divisions of this species, regarding the representatives from Washington southward as a 
distinct subspecies, Kaeding’B Petrel Oceanodroma kaedingi. Some refer Alaska birds to 
Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa, Lower California specimens to Oceanodroma leucorhoa 
kaedingi l and introduce a third form Oceanodroma leucorhoa beali for Washington, Oregon, 
and California. Whether or not the lack of breeding records between Queen Charlotte 
islands and cape Flattery is a real hiatus in distribution is uncertain. At least it is 
questionable which race should be ascribed to the Canadian coast. In a subject so open 
to "dispute, discussion is unprofitable without more material and study. 
Order— Steganopodes. Totipalmate Swimmers. Full-webbed 
Swimmers 
General Description. Birds with webs between all four toes, making three webs 
instead of the usual two as in other orders (Figure 6, page 24). 
Distinctions. The feet characters are always distinctive. 
West Canadian Totipalmates are represented by two families: Phalacrocoracidae, the 
Cormorants; and Pelecanidae , the Pelicans. 
Economic Status. This order, being composed of large birds, all fish- 
eaters, and many of them frequenting inshore or inland waters in con- 
siderable numbers, is open to a certain amount of suspicion as to its econo- 
mic effect. However, no step should be taken against any species until 
careful investigation has proved its necessity. 
FAMILY — PHALACROCORACIDAE. CORMORANTS 
General Description . Large birds 25 to 36 inches, black or very dark brown in colour. 
Bill, long and slender, abruptly and strongly hooked at tip. No external nostrils. Skin 
around eyes bare, and usually a small unfeathered gular or throat pouch (Figures 108- 
110). Highest mating plumages have variously shaped crests and filamentous plumes, but 
these ornaments are retained for only a short time (sometimes suppressed I?] ) and are often 
absent. 
Distinctions. The general form and outline of the bill are superficially similar to those 
of the Jaegers or the Shearwaters, but are fundamentally quite different. The lack of external 
nostrils, the bare space about eyes, and bare gular pouch easily distinguish the Cormorants 
from them. These bare spots are usually highly coloured. In some specimens of the 
Pelagic Cormorant the bare gular pouch is small and may be largely overgrown with feathers. 
Field Marks. Flying, the long outstretched head and neck, long tail, rapidly beating 
wings, and direct flight of this family are easily recognized. On the water Cormorants 
look something like Loons, but the motions of the head and neck are more graceful and 
serpentine and the long tail when shown is distinctive. 
Distribution. Cosmopolitan, but naturally confined to the vicinity of large bodies 
of water. We have one species in the interior of the continent and three on the west coast. 
Cormorants are fisli-eaters and capture their prey by straight pursuit 
under water. With extraordinary ease they secure their agile prey in its 
own element. As seen in clear water or a tank, their subaquatic move- 
ments seem unhurried, yet such is the economy of effort that they 
take speedy fish with absurd ease. They never dive from the wing, but 
first alight and then disappear below with a serpentine gliding motion with- 
out splash. They seldom remain under more than forty seconds, though 
