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331 



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the branches of trees overhanging the water. Its food consists chiefly of eels and small fish ; but 



1 have also found the stomach filled with freshwater shrimps. 



It is very active on the wing, and often ascends to a considerable height in the air, and then 

 sails in wide circles. On these occasions, owing to its narrowness of body and length of neck 

 and tail, it has very much the appearance, when seen from below, of a flying cross. 



Large numbers are sometimes congregated in the roosting-place ; and when disturbed or 

 alarmed, they rise into the air simultaneously and course about in a confused manner, resembling 

 at a distance a flight of Rooks. 



Like the Black Sea-Shag, they retire to the « negro-head " swamps and to the lakes of the 

 interior for the purpose of breeding, establishmg themselves in large colonies, and returning to 

 the same " shaggery " year after year. The low scrub fringing the shores of a lake or lagoon is 

 the site usuaUy selected ; and the nests are constructed of broken twigs, dry flags, and rushes 

 loosely placed together to the thickness of several inches, with sometimes an upper layer of soft 

 dry grass. The eggs are generally four in number, elliptical in form, but varying in length from 



2 inches to 2 5, with a breadth of 1-5 ; they are of a delicate greenish white, when freshly laid, 

 and are slightly incrusted with a chalky matter of a disagreeable odour. 





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