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BIRDS OF NEW MEXICO 
at Patterson near the valley of the San Francisco River (Bailey). [Near Carlsbad 
one was seen, July 24, 1925 (Ligon).] On the Carlsbad Bird Reserve, it was noted 
in the winter of 1911, in the summer of 1913, others on February 18, 1914 (Cooper); 
and it was seen occasionally in January, 1915; [on the Rio Grande Bird Reserve one 
was seen November 27, 1916 (Willett). A few were seen at Lake Burford in May 
1918—two each on May 26 and 27, and four on May 28, possibly on their way north 
to the Salt Lake Valley (Wetmore)].—W. W. Cooke. 
Nest. —In colonies usually on the floor of an island, a depression in a mound 
of pebbles, or a nest made of grasses, sticks, or reeds. Eggs: 2 to 4, white, with a 
chalky deposit, more or less stained. 
Food. — Fish, salamanders, tadpoles, and crawfish; and in the interior, also 
locusts. 
General Habits. —Such a grotesque, squat figure does the White 
Pelican present in flight, with his long, pouched bill, enormous flapping 
wings, and short legs and tail, that he would be remembered always 
were he the only one seen in a lifetime. But if discovered in a migrating 
flock, whether acting the part of hydroplane or aeroplane, to one’s 
surprise and amusement over his droll figure will be added admiration 
and wonder at the concerted masterful evolutions of the flock. 
Additional Literature.—Bent, A. C., U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 121, 282-293 
1922.— Chapman, F. M., Camps and Cruises of an Ornithologist, 367-388, 1908.— 
Finley, W. L., Condor, IX, 35-41, 1907.— Hall, E. R., Condor, XXVH, 147-160, 
1925 (versus fishes in Yellowstone).— Mills, Laura, Condor, XXVII, 32-33, 1925 
(fishing).— Skinner, M. P., Condor, XIX, 178-182, 1917; Roosevelt Wild Life 
Bull. Ill, 93-95, 133-146, 1925.— Ward, H. B., Condor, XXVI, 136-140, 1924. 
CORMORANTS: Family Phalacrocoracidae 
The Cormorants have long slender bills hooked at tip, long sinuous 
necks, heavy bodies, and legs set so far back that they stand erect. 
While among the most powerful of swimming birds with short strong 
legs and fully webbed feet, like the diving ducks, 
they use their wings when pursuing their prey under 
.-V;., water. The adults have no external nostrils but 
® breathe through the mouth, which opens back 
Fig. 6. Cormorant under the eye. They nest on the ground or rocks 
on islands, or in trees over water, and the young 
are hatched naked. « 
Reference—Townsend, C. W., Condor, 92-93, 1925 (courtship). 
MEXICAN CORMORANT: Phalacrocorax vfgua mexicanus (Brandt) 
Description .— Length: 23-28.7 inches, wing 9.9-10.4, bill 1.7-2. Adults in 
nuptial plumage: Lustrous black; head, neck, and belly ornamented with white 
filamentous feathers. Adults in post-nuptial plumage: Brownish black, face partly 
white, plumes lacking. Young in juvenal plumage: Dark brown, paler on throat, 
fading with wear to nearly white on throat and underparts. 
