Order ANSEKES.] [Fam. PELECANID^. 



PHALACEOCORAX MELANOLEUCUS. 



(FRILLED SHAG.) 



Phalacrocorax melanoleucus, Vieill. N. Diet. viii. p. 88 (1817). 

 Phalacrocoraw flavirhynchus, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 157. 

 Graucalus flavirostris, Gray, in Dieff. Trav. ii., App. p. 201 (1843). 

 Gracalus melanoleucus, Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Birds, p. 20 (1844). 

 Graculus melanoleucus, Gray. Ibis, 1862, p. 251. 

 Halieus melanoleucus, Bonap. C. B. xliii. p. 577 (1856). 

 Microcarbo melanoleucus, Bonap. Consp. Av. ii. p. 177 (1857). 



Ad. pileo colloque postico et corpore supra nigris, scapularibus et tectricibus alarum viridi niteutibus, velutino- 

 nigro marginatis : pileo et collo lateralibus cum corpore subtus toto albis : corporis lateribus, subalaribus 

 et axillaribus nigris : rostro flavicanti-brunneo, culmine saturatiore : pedibus nigris : iride saturate 

 brunnea : regione opbthalmica, flava. 



Adult. Crown of tbe bead, bind part of neck, and general upper surface, as well as tbe sides of the body, 

 flanks, axillary plumes, and inner lining of wings glossy black; wing-coverts and scapulars greenish 

 black, with ebony-black edges ; face, throat, fore part and sides of neck, and all the under surface pure 

 white ; wing-feathers and tail black. Irides dark brown ; space round the eyes yellow ; bill yellowish 

 brown, deepening to black on the ridge ; tarsi and feet black. The feathers of the forehead are narrow 

 and elongated, forming a shght vertical crest ; the white plumage of the face and the feathers of the 

 hind head are likewise produced, forming tolerably distinct lateral and occipital crests. Length 

 24 - 5 inches ; wing, from flexure, 9" 5 ; tail 6 - 25 ; bill, along the ridge l - 25, along the edge of lower 

 mandible 2 - l ; tarsus 1'25 ; longest toe and claw 2 - 6. 



Young. Differs only in having the feathers of the upper surface margined more or less with pale brown, and 

 the plumage of the underparts of a less pure white, obscurely mottled with brown. 



The Frilled Shag, although dispersed over every part of Australia, is a comparatively rare species 

 in New Zealand. It resorts to the rocky shores of bays and estuaries, as well as to inland rivers 

 and lagoons ; and it is said to breed in trees, several pairs being generally associated together. 



