BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 199 



Immature. Head, neck, and under surface brownish-black; 

 rest of plumage brownish-grey. 



AV.sf. Constructed of sticks and placed in a low tree over 

 water. 



Eyy*. Clutch three; somewhat oval in shape; texture coarse; 

 surface without gloss; colour greenish- white, with a limy coat- 

 ing. Dimensions in mm. of odd examples : (1) 49 x 33, (2) 50 x 35. 



Breeding Season. August to December. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania, Australia, New Zea- 

 land, New Caledonia, and portion of the Austro-Malayan Archi- 

 pelago. 



Observations. This species was first recorded for Tasmania 

 by Mr. A. E. Brent in 1890. In 1893 he again saw several more 

 of the same species. 



A few individuals have been seen in the River Tamar within 

 the last twelve months. Altogether, the Little Black Cormorant 

 is somewhat rare in Tasmania. 



WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT 

 (Phalacrocorax gouldi, Salvad.) 



Male and Female (breeding plumage). Crown, neck, back, 

 rump, upper tail coverts, and flanks black, glossed with dull steel- 

 blue ; sides of the upper back, shoulders, and wing coverts glossed 

 with dull green; quills and tail feathers brownish-black; sides of 

 the head and under surface white ; on both the upper surface and 

 the flanks are a few scattered white plumules; iris green; bill 

 legs, and feet black. Dimensions in mm.: Length, 695; bill. 

 58; wing, 300; tail, 110; tarsus, 54. 



Male and Female (non-breeding plumage). Differs from th'e 

 above in that the white plumules are absent. 



Nest. A fairly large structure of seaweed and marine debris, 

 placed in a rookery on the tops of flattish rocks on an island or 

 islet, close to the water. The rookery of this species and that of 

 the Black Cormorant are sometimes adjoining. 



Eggs. Clutch two to three; long oval in shape; shell coarse 

 and without gloss ; colour varies from greenish to bluish white ; 

 surface roughly coated with lime, and soon becoming nest-stained. 

 Dimensions in mm. of a clutch : (1) 62 x 37, (2) 57 x 37, (3) 60 

 x 38. 



Breeding Season. August or September to November. Fre- 

 quently eggs have been found in June and July on some of the 

 islets in Bass Strait. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania and the greater part of 

 Australia ; also Louisiade Archipelago. 



Observations. It is a matter for debate as to whether this 

 species or the Black Shag is the more plentiful in and around 

 Tasmania. Those whose business or pleasure has taken them 



