■78 Whitk, Food of Cormorants. r2nd'oct 



I landed for a while to search for the Southern Blue Wren 

 {Malurus cyaneiis leggei), this being the type locality. A party 

 of brown birds was met with amongst the mangroves, but, there 

 not being any full-plumaged males, it was impossible to identify 

 the species. A little later in the evening the Cormorants began 

 to come in from seawards, and we were able to mark down where 

 they were settling. Going on board again, we retraced our way 

 out of the creeks, and on a flood-tide made our way into another 

 large creek, where we found the rookery. Specimens having been 

 secured, we made our way back to the yacht at dark. Before 

 going on board I took a note of the soft parts of each bird, 

 attached a number to each, and placed all on the bottom of the 

 dinghy, so that I could make a start at examination in the morning. 

 The day had been very oppressive and thundery, with a falling 

 glass, and before morning a series of squalls struck the little craft. 

 By daylight the wind had gone round into the west, and we knew 

 it would soon blow hard from the south-west. The boat, with 

 the Cormorant specimens, was pulled up on to the davits ; the 

 engine soon had the anchor up, and we made a run for the Port 

 River. It was not long before we were steaming into a strong 

 gale from the south-west, with a heavy sea. It was afternoon 

 before we dropped anchor inside the river in calm water. After 

 lunch, in spite of driving showers, my friends accompanied me 

 on shore with my specimens, and gave me every assistance with 

 my investigations, the i^esults of which are as follows : — 



All specimens were of one species — Hypoleucits variiis hypoleiicits 

 (Pied Cormorant). 



No nests were seen. Most of the birds were in a non -breeding 

 condition, while some were very near it. 



No. I, (J. — Iris sea green, spot in front of eye orange, space round 

 eye blue ; bill — upper mandible yellowish- white, the ridge 

 along the top horn colour, becoming almost black at the 

 base, curved tip brownish-yellow, lower mandible light 

 yellow ; gular pouch yellowish-white ; feet black. Stomach 

 contents, numbers of large fish-bones and seaweed. 

 Measurements — total length, 321" ; spread of wings, tip to 

 tip, 48" ; axilla to tip, 22". This bird showed signs of the 

 approaching breeding season. 

 No. 2, cJ. — Iris sea green, spot in front of eye orange, space round 

 eye pale yellow ; upper mandible dark brown, lower 

 yellowish ; gular pouch very pale yellow ; feet black. 

 Stomach contents, weed-fish. Measurements — total length, 

 30" ; wing, 22" ; total stretch of wings, 49". 

 No. 3, $. — Soft parts same as No. 2. Stomach contents, 6 weed- 

 fish. Measurements — length, 30I" ; wing, 21" ; spread of 

 wings, 48". 

 No. 4 (sex ?) — Soft parts same as No. 2. Stomach contents, two 



flat head. 

 No. 5, (J. — Soft parts same as No. 2. Stomach contents, three 

 flathead. 



