4018 The Zoologist — June, 1874. 



indication of plumage is the sprouting of the hair-like down of the 

 tail; dark brown down next appears on the upper surface, whilst 

 the under parts are covered with whitish down : the condition of 

 the young always appears most thriving; the abdomen is distended 

 as though stuffed. In the next change in the appearance of the 

 young, we note that it has assumed a dull smoky colour, lightest 

 on the abdomen, the chin and tarsi, the latter lightest on the inside ; 

 another change occurs before quitting the nest, the whole upper 

 surface becoming of a dull slaty brown, almost white beneath ; lore, 

 chin and pouch purplish flesh ; up to this stage the aural orifice is 

 unprotected. When clothed with down the middle claw is still 

 wanting in its pectinated apparatus. ^Vhilst in the nests the young 

 stretch up their long necks and move their heads in a snake-like 

 manner from side to side ; their note is hoarse and brief, like the 

 woffling bark of a puppy; when of a size to fill up their home the 

 old birds remain at the edge of the nest. Below the nests there may 

 often be observed a substance that looks not unlike some species 

 of coral ; this is formed of the exuviaj of these birds, and by the 

 solidifying of the liquid ejections which the shag so constantly 

 produces. A well-known sea mark near Banks Peninsula, known 

 as " White-wash Head," owes its distinctive name to the colour it 

 has assumed from the accumulated white droppings of this sea-fowl. 

 It leaves its nest with reluctance, as it is not a shy bird. The 

 position chosen for the nest is perhaps rather to secure the ad- 

 vantage of shelter than from the fear of depredators. Its gruff brief 

 note is not often heard; when ashore we have noticed that it 

 frequently opens its mandibles widely, as though the trachea was 

 irritated by the presence of some parasite. Ticks sometimes are 

 found firmly fixed on the throat. 



It is worth noting that the plumage of the young, when they leave 

 the nest, is of a dull inconspicuous tint, which may be of great 

 advantage, not only in obtaining its food, by securing a nearer 

 approach to its prey without observation, but also by its tone 

 affording a certain amount of protection, as either afloat or ashore 

 its colour harmonizes with its surroundings, so that it is far from 

 being a striking object; young females up to the period of their 

 first nest differ but little from the tints of the young state. In this 

 state of plumage these birds most frequently visit the shallower 

 waters of the bays in the harbours : at sea we have never met with 

 shags far from laud, hence the name of "ocean shag" does not 



