492 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Sp. 654. PHALACROCORAX LEUCOGASTER, Gould. 



White-breasted Cormorant. 



Phalacrocorax leucogaster, Gould iu Proc, of Zool. Soc, part v. p. 156. 



Car bo hypoleucus, Brandt. 



Gracalus leucogaster, G. R. Gray, Zool. of Voy. of Ereb. and Terr., 



Birds, p. 20. 

 Hypoleucus leucogaster, Reich. Syst. Av., tab. 63. fig. 875. 



Phalacrocorax leucogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol, vol. vii. 

 pi. 69. 



This species is very abundant in all the bays and inlets of the 

 sea surrounding Tasmania ; it ascends the rivers almost to 

 their source, and the large lakes of the interior are seldom 

 without its presence. It breeds on most of the islands in 

 Bass's Straits, where it constructs a round nest of sea-weed 

 on the ledges of the low rocks, and lays two bluish-white 

 eggs. It becomes far less numerous as we proceed north- 

 ward, but is to be found in all the localities suitable to it 

 throughout the whole of the coast of South Australia. I have 

 also seen it on the Hunter as well as in Spencer's and St. 

 Vincent's Gulfs. 



In a state of nature it is a showy and attractive bird, the 

 decided contrast in the colouring of its plumage rendering it 

 a conspicuous object at a considerable distance, particularly 

 when it is reposing in flocks on the craggy summits of the 

 low black rocks forming the margins of the rivers, or when 

 perched side by side on the bare branches of the trees over- 

 hanging the water. 



Its food consists of fish and other marine animals. 



The sexes are so nearly alike in their plumage that it is im- 

 poGsJ e to distinguish them without the aid of dissection ; the 

 spring or nuptial dress is characterized by long white feathers 

 springing from the sides of the neck, which are entirely 

 absent at other seasons. The young of the year has the 



