Order ANSERES.] [Fam. PELECANIDJE. 



PHALACROCORAX BREVIKOSTRIS. 



(WHITE-THROATED SHAG.) 



Phalacrocorax brevirostris, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 26. 



Gracalus brevirostris, Gray, Voy. Ereb. & Terror, Birds, p. 20 (1844). 



Carbo flavagula, Peale, U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 270 (1848). 



Halieus brevirostris, Bonap. C. R. xliii. p. 577 (1856). 



Microcarbo brevirostris, Bonap. Consp. Av. ii. p. 178 (1857). 



Carbo brevirostris, Cass. U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 375 (1858). 



Native name. — Kawau-paka. 



Ad. supra nitenti-niger, interscapulii plumis medialiter sordide cinerascentibus : scapularibus et tectricibus 

 alarum eiuerasceutibus couspicue velutino-nigro marginatis : remigibus et rectricibus nigris, canescente 

 paullo lavatis : frontis nuchseque plumis elongatis, loris cum supercilio distincto, facie laterali guttureque 

 toto albis : subtiis niteuti-niger : rostro flavicante, culmine et apice brunuescentibus : pedibus nigris : 

 iride saturate brunnea. 



Juv. omnino nitenti-niger : pileo et collo postico bruuneo lavatis : gutture et facie laterali paullo cinerascen- 

 tibus : tectricibus alarum minimis brunneo marginatis. 



Adult. General plumage glossy black, slightly tinged with green on the upper surface ; a line of white 

 extends from the nostrils over the eyes, and, spreading into a patch beyond, covers the cheeks, throat, 

 and a large portion of the fore neck, often varying, however, in extent in different examples ; wing- 

 coverts and scapulars shining greyish black, bordered with satiny black ; quills and tail-feathers black, 

 with polished shafts. Irides deep chocolate-brown ; naked skin in front of the eyes and bordering the 

 pouch greenish yellow ; bill bright yellow, changing to black on the ridge and towards the hook ; legs 

 and feet black. Total length 24 inches; wing, from flexure, 9 - 5 ; tail 7"5 ; bill, along the ridge 1*5, 

 along the edge of lower mandible 2'4 ; tarsus l - 25; longest toe and claw 3. 



Obs. Some specimens exhibit a few short filamentous white feathers on the posterior sides of the head. 



Young. Entire plumage glossy black, inclining to greyish white towards the base of lower mandible ; sides 

 of the head, fore neck, and breast tinged with brown ; mantle and upper wing-coverts greyish black, 

 with velvety borders and brownish tips. The bill has the upper mandible dark brown, with yellow 

 edges and tip, the lower mandible bright yellow, with wavy brown marks in the centre; legs and 

 feet jet-black. 



The White-throated Shag, which appears to be confined to New Zealand and the Chatham 

 Islands, frequents the freshwater rivers and lagoons in all parts of the country. Like some of 

 its congeners it is social or gregarious, obtains its subsistence by diving, and roosts at night on 



