107 



at this time, we should be inclined to think that the stranger was nesting 

 here. 



The entire plumage was white, upj)er, lower surface, and head also ; the 

 bill appeared to be light coloured. Our observations were made chiefly during 

 its rapid movements, so that of the bill, tarsi, and feet, we cannot pretend to 

 give a reliable description. 



No. 134. — Phalacrocobax (Graculus) carbo, Linn. 

 Kauau tuawhenua. 

 Great Shag, Cormorant. 

 This large species of our native Pelicanidce must enjoy a most extensive 

 range, as there appears to be not much doubt of its identity with the European 

 cormorant which is met with in the highest latitudes of the northern hemis- 

 phere ; it would seem that it was formerly known sometimes as the sea-raven 

 or crow, from its rapacity. It is worth recalling, that our eldest poet, that 

 great student of nature, mentions these birds together in two consecutive lines, — 

 "The hote cormtraunt, full of glotonie 

 The ravin wise, the croive with voice of care." 



This fine-looking bii'd, one of the most industrious of fishers, appears to 

 be generally distributed throughout the country ; unlike G. punctatus, 

 G. hrevirostris, and others, it is of rather solitary habits, whereas those species 

 delight in the association of numbers, their rapid motions imparting an air of 

 liveliness and gaiety to the rocky wave-worn coast line, or the placid 

 waters of the deep inland lake. It is usually classed as a sea bird, 

 yet, although it frequents our coasts and harbours, it is to be observed 

 a great way inland, and, taking the width of the island into consideration, a 

 very long distance from the sea; we have noticed it to the west of Lake 

 Coleridge. Except during the breeding season, it may be said to pass rather 

 a solitary life ; its favourite post, where obtainable, is the outstretched limb of 

 some blasted tree on the verge of the bush, or a ledge of rock near to a stream 

 or lake ; but although thus solitary, it is by no means to be considered shy or 

 timid; it does not "fly the haunts of men." We have often observed it 

 perched on the lofty chimneys of the public buildings in Christchurch ; two 

 years since a mass of its nesting materials was cleared away from some part 

 of the roof. 



This ruthless desecration of the lai'es and penates did not cause the 

 abandonment of the settlement ; Avith the clear sparkling Avon flowing 

 immediately below, the situation was too good a one to be forsaken without 

 the display of more active hostilities. These favourite posts still continue to 

 be frequently occupied, notwithstanding that birds are sometimes shot there, 

 for the protection of the young trout, with the acclimatization of which our 

 silent fisher unwisely interferes. 



Its flight occasionally is very lofty, seldom very straight ; from watching 



