THE WHITE-THROATED SHAG 313 



tiirsiis, 1.45 in. ; of tlie bill, 1.2 in. Length of the egg, 1.85 in. The young 

 bird has the abdomen mottled with black. Australia, New Guinea, and 

 New Caledonia. 



In New Zealand this bird is rare, bnt it is occasionally fonnd 

 in both islands. In the Canterbury ^Museum there are specimens 

 shot at Sumner in 1886. 



Nest of White-throated Shag. 



The White-throated Shag. — Aroarotea. 

 Plialacrocorax brevirostris. 



Black, with the throat and chin Avhite. Bill, j'ellow. Skin on the face, 

 greenish yellow, that on the chin, yellow. Legs and feet, black. Eye, 

 chocolate brown. Length of the wing, 9in. ; of the tarsus, 1.4 in. ; of the 

 bill, 1.1 in. The young are entirely black. Egg— Bluish white; length, 

 1.9in. The variable colouring of this bird, and how it often approaches 

 the last species, have already been mentioned. Probably the best dis- 

 tinguishing marks between the two are the ear coverts, which are black 

 in brevirostris and white in melaiioleucus. New Zealand only, where it is 

 common in both Islands. 



The white-throated shag is not a coast bird, but is found 

 chiefly near the end of long winding sounds and inlets, or else on 

 the rivers. It not uncommonly forms rookeries with the black 

 shag. It feeds not only on fish, but also on fresh water shrimps. 

 It is a sociable bird, congregating in considerable numbers, 

 especially for breeding. The nest is large and is made of sticks 

 lined with grass. The eggs are four in number. 



