THE CAMPBELL ISLAND SHAG 315 



grey with dark spots, the lower surface, greyish white; and the skin on 

 the face is yellowish flesh colour; the feet and legs dull flesh colour. Egg 

 — White ; length, 2.4 in. New Zealand only. 



This is the common coast shag of Canterbury and Westland. It 

 is rare in the north, but is found on the eastern side of Hauraki 

 Gulf. It never goes inland, but breeds on sea cliffs. The breeding 

 season is from the middle of October to early summer, and the 

 bird lays three eggs. Both sexes sit on the eggs. The young are 

 born blind and almost naked, but soon become covered with down, 

 which is dark brown above and whitish below. None of the ocean 

 shags goes far from land, and they never dive from the air, but 

 always first settle on the water. They swim low, the tail being 

 about level with the surface. They rise on the wing from the 

 water Avith difficulty, having to make three or four leaps with the 

 body nearly upright. When changing the feeding ground, they 

 fly in companies, usually' at a low elevation, keeping just above 

 the curl of the wave. They follow the shoaLs of fish, and their 

 great power of diving ensures a plentiful supply of food. After 

 feeding they repair to the cliff's and bask in the sun. 



The Chatham Island Shag. 



FJialacrocorax fcatJierstoiii. 



Upper surface, dark greenish grey, with black spots. The head and 

 throat, nearly black. Breast and abdomen, silvery grey. Head, in the 

 breeding season, with two crests. Skin on the face, purple. Legs and feet, 

 orange. Eye, pale green. Length of the wing, 9in. ; of the tarsus, L9 in. 

 Egg- — White; length, 2.4 in. Chatham Islands. 



The Campbell Island Shag. 



rJialacrocorax caniphelU. 



Upjjer surface and thighs blue black; the shoulders and wing-coverts 

 green black. A narrow white bar on the wing. Whole under surface, 

 except the fore neck, which is black, white. Head crested. Skin on the 

 face dark blue, with minute crimson spots; chin bright orange; legs and 

 feet flesh-colour; eye dark brown. Length of the wing, 10.5 in.; of the 

 tarsus, 2.4 in. The young has the upper surface and fore neck brown, 

 glossed with greenish; the chin, throat, and abdomen white. There is no 

 white band on the wing. Skin on the face dull orange, with crimson 

 spots; the chin orange. Campbell and Auckland Islands. 



