G-RACITLUS BAIRDII. 
0 
BAIRD’S CORMORANT. 
GRACULUS BAIRDII. Gruber MSS. Id. J. G. Cooper. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scieu., p. 5 (1866). 
This bird has but lately been described as a distinct species, having been considered the same as G. Violaceus, from which, however, it differs 
in many particulars. All that is known of it, is contained in Dr. Cooper’s article in the Philadelphia Proceedings as quoted, and which I 
here insert for the benefit of my readers : “ This species is closely related to the G. Yiolaceus of the Oregon and Washington coasts, 
and replaces it on the coast of Upper and Lower California. According to Mr. James Hepburn, it differs in a much more slender bill, and other 
points of structure, as well as in the presence of the conspicuous white patches on the flanks.” Dr. Cooper then gives the following extract 
of a letter directed to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. Hepburn, dated 30th December, 1862 : “ While at Barclay Sound, I noticed that there 
appeared to be a Cormorant there about the size of the one from the Farrallons, but without any white spot ; I could only get one of them, and 
that on the last day I was out. On examining it, I found that it was of the same size as the other as I have already insisted, has a dusky pouch, 
with numerous bright red papillae, much too striking a point to be overlooked by any oue who sees the bird while in the flesh. Another 
difference is, that the irides of the former are brown, those of the latter are green. The plumage, too, is dissimilar in color, though both of 
them might fairly be called violet-green. In the Farrallons bird, however, the green greatly predominates, in the other the violet. With respect 
to the white spot, I have seen the bird with it as early as February, and as late as the middle of July, at which time it showed no signs of disap- 
pearing, though the G. Dilophus had months previously lost its crests. I have never been able to see the bird in autumn, which I am very 
anxious to do. If, as I think, it then appears with the white patch, the question of its being the breeding plumage is disposed of. At any 
rate the bird in Barclay Sound had no patch at the end of March. The only remaining conjecture is, that one may be the young of the other, 
and this I find is Dr. Suckley’s idea, who appears to have remarked both kinds at Cape Disappointment. To this I object, that I do not know 
of the patchless bird having been noticed in California, and I am very certain that I saw none with a patch about Vancouver Island. As to their 
frequenting Cape Disappointment, that would only prove that to be the boundary line of their respective habitats. I am aware that it is danger- 
ous work to build speculations, as I am doing, on a single specimen, but I shall do my best to find out when the northern bird breeds, and to 
obtain a sitting bird with its eggs, and then should the differences be equally marked at that period, if there is any such thing as species, the 
two birds must, I think, be pronounced distinct.” 
I am not aware whether Mr. Hepburn was successful in obtaining a bird with its eggs or not, but since his letter was written a -good many 
specimens of the G. Bairdii have been obtained. One very fine example in my cabinet was presented to me by my friend, the late Dr. A. L. 
Heermann, who procured it on the Farrallon Islands, and it presents all the differences from the G. Dilophus, which are mentioned in the above 
communications. My specimen is undoubtedly fully adult, and I should hardly feel inclined to call the G. Dilophus its young. 
Head and neck, rich deep purple, violet in some lights ; top of head with dark green reflections. Back and wings, green, glossed with 
purple. Primaries, blackish brown. Entire under parts, a rich dark green, purplish on the under tail coverts. A large conspicuous white patch 
on the flanks, just below the wing. A short crest on top of head, green ; another longer, springing from the occiput, purple. Iris, green ; bill, 
horn black ; feet, pure black. Gular sack black, marked with red, a narrow patch of naked skin under the eye. 
