40 
CORMORANTS 
2'. Flanks with a large white patch in breeding plumage. Top and back 
of head crested in breeding plumage. 
3. Size larger, wing 10.00-11.40. From Washington northward. 
pelagicus, p. 41. 
3'. Size smaller, wing 9.30-10.50. From Cape Flattery southward. 
resplendens, p. 42. 
Subgenus Phalacrocorax. 
120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.). Double-crested Cor¬ 
morant. 
Adults in breeding plumage. — Throat pouch orange ; a narrow crest of 
curved black feathers above and back of each eye; back and wings slaty, 
feathers bordered with black; rest of plumage glossy greenish black. 
Post-breeding plumage : head without crests. Young : plumage brownish, 
becoming grayish brown on head and neck; throat and breast lighter, 
sometimes white before the first moult. Length: 29-34, wing 12-13, bill 
2.00-2.45. 
Distribution. — Breeds from northeastern North America west to the 
Dakotas and north to Athabasca; migrates to Gulf coast; west to Colo¬ 
rado and Utah. 
Nest. — In trees or on rocks, made of sticks, and usually coated with 
lime-like excrement. Eggs: 3 or 4, dull bluish green. 
The double-crested cormorants are common along the Atlantic 
coast and the lakes and rivers of the Mississippi valley, breeding in 
communities on cliffs and rocky islands along the coast, and mainly 
in trees in the interior. 
Like all cormorants, they are expert fishers. With their dense 
glossy plumage, long, almost fish-like form, powerful leg muscles, 
and wide paddles, double-jointed mouths, elastic throats, and the 
hooked tip of their bills, they are built for pursuing, catching, and 
swallowing fish. Much of their time is spent in the water pursuing 
their prey, or perched on rocks or posts near their 'fishing grounds. 
Vernon Bailey. 
120b. P. d. cincinatus (Brandt). White-crested Cormorant. 
Like P. dilophus , but with crests mainly white. Length: 36, wing 13.70, 
bill 2.25-2.55. 
Distribution. — Northwest coast of North America, breeding on the 
coast of Alaska; south in winter to California. 
Nest. — On islands, a mass of sticks and weeds six inches to a foot in 
height. Eggs: 4 or 5. 
120c. P. d. albociliatus Ridgw. Farallone Cormorant. 
Similar to cincinatus , but slightly smaller. Length : 25-31, wing 1 11.75- 
13.00, bill 1.90-2.35. 
Distribution. — Coast and inland lakes of southern Oregon and Califor¬ 
nia, and south to western Mexico and the Socorro Islands. 
Nest. — A firm structure of sticks, lined with moss and various water 
plants ; placed in trees and on rocks. Eggs : 3 to 5, dull bluish green. 
The Farallone cormorant is a common resident of the California 
