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plunges. When associated in pairs, they rise simultaneously, and fly off in company. Sometimes 

 a large flight of them may be observed high in the air, performing apparently a migratory passage, 

 and deployed in the form of a wedge, like a flight of Swans. 



Like all the other members of the group, the Black Shag is an accomplished diver, and 

 obtains all its food in this manner. Twenty-five seconds appears to be the average duration of 

 each dive, although the bird is capable of remaining under water for a much longer time. It is 

 interesting to observe it facing a strong rolling surf and diving under the breakers to avoid their 

 force. When swimming in smooth water, it sometimes amuses itself by slapping its broad wings 

 upon the surface, producing a sound that may be heard to the distance of half a mile. It rises 

 from the water with apparent difficulty, and till it is fairly in the air it continues to strike 

 the surface violently with the tips of its wings ; this will doubtless account for the ragged 

 appearance often presented by the ends of the primaries. It subsists on fish of various kinds ; and 

 I have observed one capture a good-sized flounder, and after killing it by nipping with its bill, 

 and battering on the water, swallow it whole, the throat of this bird being capable of great 

 expansion. 



It breeds in companies, and frequently in association with another species of Shag (P. brevi- 

 rostris), resorting for this purpose to the deep swamps in the vicinity of the sea-coast, and placing 

 its rude nest on the " negro-heads" or swamp-tussocks, just above the surface of the water: this 

 structure is often three feet in diameter, and is composed of raupo flags, dry leaves, and twigs 

 roughly placed together, and rendered compact by the weight of the sitting bird. The eggs, 

 which are usually three in number, are of a perfect elliptical form, measuring 2 - 5 inches in length 

 by 1*6 in breadth, and are greenish white, with a thin covering of chalky matter. 



