58 
PELICANI FORMES 
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 Ihe heading under family. Much said under 
the pelican applies here with even greater force, owing to the smaller size 
of the birds and consequent less capacity for harm. 
122. Brandt’s Cormorant, le cormoran de brandt. 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 96). 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 approaching maturity. 
Nesting. On rounded shoulders or ledges, or flat tops of rock islands, or similar localities. 
Distribution. Pacific coast, from south end of the Alaska Panhandle to Lower 
California. Breeding from the west coast of Vancouver Island (Solander Island) southward. 
Figure 96 
Brandt’s Cormorant; 
123. Pelagic Cormorant, le cormoran pIslagique. 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 
97). 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 anywhere. 
Distinctions. Small size, even coloration, with 
large amount of iridescence that is suggested on the back in even juvenile plumages. 
Field Marks. Small size, colour unrelieved by light face patch or yellow bill or gular 
pouch. The two crests and white flank spots when present. 
Nesting. On cliffs, sea-wall ledges, and similar situations. 
Distribution. Coasts of north Pacific, breeding south to California. Breeding colonies 
have been noted at the south end of Vancouver island and on Queen Charlotte Islands. 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies {ire recognized in the 1931 edition of the Check-list. 
Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus Violet-Green Cormorant (le Cormoran vert violet) 
has a comparatively heavy bill. It is restricted to Kamchatka and Alaska, including the 
Panhandle. Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens Baird’s Cormorant (le Cormoran de 
Baird), with more slender bill, inhabits the coast of British Columbia and southward. 
Figure 97 
Pelagic Cormorant; 
scale, £. 
