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329 



This species frequents the freshwater rivers, and is very seldom met with on the sea-coast. In 

 other respects its habits do not appear to diifer in any material point from those of the preceding 

 bird. Its usual station is a fallen tree or a stump projecting from the water ; and it may fre- 

 quently be seen spreading its wings to the sun, and sometimes remaining in that position for a 

 considerable time. 



Dr. Haast has contributed * the following observations on the habits of this bird : 

 " They are capital fishers ; and one day I was witness how well they understood how to 

 procure their food. It was near the spot where one of the northern spurs of Mount 

 slopes down to the Buller, which here forms small falls and rapids. A Cormorant was standing 

 on an isolated rock, round which the foaming waters dashed down ; and I was not a little 

 surprised to see him jump down into the white foam. In the first instance I thought he would 

 not get out again, but would be dashed to death by the whirling waters ; but soon he reappeared, 

 swimming rapidly towards the edge, and then flying on to his old observatory to continue his 



Murchison 



sport. 



down 



force of the water, are easily caught by the courageous bird. This is a new proof that nature 

 has given to every animal the requisite physical strength to contend with the elements in which 

 it has to look for its subsistence." 



It usually nests in trees overhanging the water, several pairs being generally associated ; and 

 it repairs to the same station for many successive seasons. There is a "shaggery" of this 

 description on the banks of the Wairoa river, north of Auckland, which appears to have been 

 occupied for ten years or more, in spite of repeated molestation by the natives. I visited this 

 place on several occasions, but never succeeded in finding the eggs. I observed that the nests 

 were formed of a mass of twigs pressed into a compact structure, and that each of them con- 

 tained two young birds. 



* Ibis, 1862, p. 102. 



2x 



