72 
U. S. P. li. E. EXP. AND SUEVEYS—EOUTE TO CALIFOENIA. 
bear a strong resemblance, but though I have often procured it in full spring plumage, I have 
never yet been able to detect the elongated tufts from behind each eye which distinguish that 
species at the first glance. I procured their eggs early in July, on the Farrallone Islands, 
and can only account for their tardy nidification from the -fact that upon their first incubation 
the nests were rifled by the inhabitants of the island to supply their swine with a sufficiency of 
food. 
PHALACROCORAX RESPLENDENS, Aud.—Violet-green Cormorant. 
Phalacrocorax resplendens, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 440, pi. 419.— Ib. Fol. pi 412. 
This beautiful species, easily distinguished by the metallic reflections of its plumage as well 
as its smaller size, was first discovered by Mr. J. K. Townsend, on the Columbia river, and is 
among the cormorants which fix their resting place on the Farrallone Islands. Its nest, 
placed on a ledge of the most precipitous cliffs, is formed of sea weed and raised three or four 
inches above the surface of the rock. In it are deposited three or four eggs of a light greenish 
color, but coated with a calcareous deposit peculiar to the eggs of this whole genus. Its food, 
on examination by dissection, I found to consist entirely of fish. 
PELECANUS TRACHYRHYNCHUS, Lath .—American Pelican. 
Ptlccanus tracliyrhynchus, Lath. Birds, vol. X, p. 408. 
Pelecanus americanus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 20, pi. 422 .—Ib. Fol. pi. 311. 
Pdecanus crythrorhynclius, Lawrence, Baird’s Gen. Eep. IX, 868. 
Abundant during the fall, when they migrate in long lines, following each other in single 
file so closely and exactly that if the least curve is described by the leader each one takes it 
precisely at the same point however large the flock. Some few pair breed in Sacramento valley, 
but the larger number go further north for that purpose. 
PELECANUS FUSCUS, Linn .—Brown Pelican. 
Pdecanus fuscus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 570. — Aud. B. of 4. Oct. vol. VII, p. 32, pi. 423 & 424.—Nutt. 
Orn. vol. II, p. 476. 
Abundant on our whole western coast, and seen even as far down as Panama. In the Gulf 
of California I observed a small black gull following this pelican incessantly on its flight, and 
as the latter plunged into the sea after fish the gull would immediately alight by its side. The 
pelican emerging from the water to discharge the fluid collected in the gular sac would drop its 
bill, when the fish partially protruding from between its mandibles, the gull would seize upon 
one and drag it out as his share of the booty. Although this feat is of hourly occurrence, I have 
never seen the pelican offer the least resistance, or show any anger or impatience at the intrusion 
or impudence of his little neighbor, who, like a tax gatherer, follows him through life, an evil 
inevitable. 
STERNA CAYANENSIS, Gmel .—Cayenne Tern. 
Sterna cayanensis, Gmeln. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 604. 
Sterna cayana, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 76, pi. 429.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 268. 
This bird is occasionally seen following up the rivers and hovering over the lakes in search of 
small fish, upon which it preys, plunging into the water after them, often disappearing beneath 
