Mr. J. C. McLean on the Spotted Shag. 299 



Mr. Gould makes the following remarks with regard to 

 the enormous powers of flight possessed by this bird : — "The 

 keel or breast-bone of this species is more than ordinarily- 

 deep, and the pectoral muscles more developed than in any 

 bird of its weight M'ith which I am acquainted. Its whole 

 form is especially and beautifully adapted for extended flights, 

 hence it readily passes from one part of the world to another, 

 and, if so disposed, may be engaged in hawking for flies on 

 the continent of Australia at one hour, and in the next be 

 similarly employed in Tasmania." 



5. Phalacrocorax punctatus. Spotted Shag. 



I have already published (Ibis, 1888, p. 44) a description 

 by Mr. J. C. McLean of the nesting of this species near 

 Cape Kidnappers. He has since forwarded me an egg, taken 

 from the nest by himself. It measures 2^q inches in length 

 by l.f^ in greatest diameter. 



XXX. — Notes on the Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus). 

 By J. C. McLean. 



In the January part of ' The Ibis' for last year (Ibis, 1888, 

 p. 42) appeared a paper, by Mr. T. W. Kirk, entitled " Notes 

 on the Birds of New Zealand,'' in which is a note of the 

 occurrence and breeding of the Spotted Shag [Phalacrocorax 

 punctatus) in the North Island of New Zealand. 



Mr. Kirk quotes parts of Sir Walter Buller's remarks to 

 the eff^ect that this species is plentiful in the South Island, 

 but that only a few instances are known of its occurrence in 

 the North Island, and that three is the usual number of eggs 

 laid. Mr. Kirk points out that I had never seen more than 

 two eggs in a nest. At that time I had only once visited 

 the nests when there were eggs and young. Since then, 

 however, I have had better opportunities for visiting and 

 observing this small colony or " Shaggery," and have taken 

 more eggs. I was very fortunate last season (1888), and 

 have some interesting facts to record. 



It was in December 1881 that I first visited Cape Kid- 



x2 



