72 
sometimes in immense communities, or in company with Pelicans, Gulls, or 
Herons. In British Columbia it is confined to the coast, where it seems 
more or less of a migrant, or a winter visitor. Although it has been found 
nesting directly north and south of the Canadian coast we have no breeding 
records for British Columbia. Colonies should be looked for on the outer 
shore of Vancouver island. 
These Cormorants often fish in companies. They spread themselves 
across the mouth of a shallow bay, and, facing inward, make a drive in 
towards a common centre. As they advance, the enclosed area becomes 
smaller and more closely guarded, the finny population more congested 
and easily caught. The divings grow shorter and more rapid and more 
fish are tossed and swallowed in hurried haste for another catch. As the 
shore is approached, the surviving fish make a despairing rush outward 
through their enemies, and there is much commotion and excitement; then 
quietness, and the birds form line again along another section of the water 
to repeat the operation. 
Economic Status. See the heading under family. Much said under 
the Pelican applies here with even greater force, owing to the smaller size 
of the birds and consequent smaller capacity for harm. 
122. Brandt’s Cormorant. Phalacrocorax -penicillatus. L, 35. About the same 
size as the Double-crested, and considerably larger than the Pelagic. Adult: black, 
iridescent with green and blue. A fawn-coloured 
patch about the blue gular pouch, blending into the 
surrounding black. No crests, but in highest plumage, 
with sparse, long, yellowish filaments on sides of neck 
and throat. 
Distinctions. Size, similar to Double-crested, and 
much larger than Pelagic. No dark edgings to feathers 
of back. Lower edge of bare gular pouch intruded 
by throat feathering, making its outline heart-shaped 
(Figure 109). A light fawn patch about the base of 
gular pouch, conspicuous in adult, evident as a soft 
yet distinct lightening in the juveniles. 
Field Marks. Size, and absence of yellow on bill 
or gular pouch. The light fore-throat should be quite conspicuous in birds approach- 
ing maturity. 
Nesting. On rounded shoulders or ledges, or flat tops of rock islands, or similar locali- 
ties. 
Distribution. Pacific coast, from south end of the Alaska Panhandle to Lower 
California. Breeding from the west coast of Vancouver island (Solander island) southward. 
123. Pelagic Cormorant (Including Violet-green and Baird’s Cormorants). 
Phalacrocorax pelagicus. L, about 25. The smallest of our Cormorants. Adult: black, 
with beautiful purple and green reflections. Bare 
face and gular pouch dull carmine red. Bare gular 
pouch very small for the family, heart-shaped by the 
intrusion of a point of throat feathering, in some 
cases completely obliterated. In highest plumage, 
with two crests, one over forehead, the other on rear 
crown (Figure 110). Iridescent purple neck thickly 
sprinkled with loose, white filaments. A conspicuous 
white patch on lower flank. These crests, filaments, 
and body patches may be entirely absent in 
otherwise high plumaged specimens. Juvenile: 
even, sooty brown, with very little lightening any- 
where. 
Figure 110 
Pelagic Cormorant; 
scale, i. 
Distinctions. Small size, even coloration, with large amount of iridescence that is 
suggested on the back in even juvenile plumages. 
