32 



the outer edge of the mterdigital web. The undetermined bird has the right foot shot-torn — the 

 result of an old wound. 



This beautiful Shag inhabits the Southern portion of New Zealand. A few specimens have 

 been obtained on the sea-shore near Port Chalmers, and some of these are in the Otago Museum.* 

 But the collector must not expect to meet with the species till he reaches Foveaux Strait ; and 

 even there it is very scarce. Its true home seems to be the estuaries and inlets of the sea that 

 diversify the coast of Stewart Island. It was there I first met with it, and from that locality 

 I afterwards obtained through Mr. Marklund some twenty fine specimens in various phases 

 of plumage. 



It associates closely with Plalacrocorax chalconotus, occupies the same breeding colonies, and 

 I suspect, often crosses with that species, for nry collection contains several specimens in what 

 looks like an intermediate plumage ; so much so that for a time I had a strong suspicion that 

 these birds would prove to belong to one and the same species. I am not absolutely clear about 

 it yet, although my collector is very certain that they are distinct. 



The specimens of this species in my collection, and of P. chalconotus, as well as the birds in 

 what appears to be transitional plumage, are all beautifully crested. Both male and female are 

 crested in this adult state. The un-crested birds are, I assume, birds of the second year. 

 An example of P. chalconotus which I sent to Canon Tristram had a very imperfect crest. 



I took the following notes from a comparatively fresh specimen : Along the forehead, from 

 the base of the upper mandible, a row of minute arterial red papillae ; hides, light brown ; bare 

 orbits, bright cobalt ; bare membrane on face dark blue, mixed with red towards the rami of the 

 lower jaw ; gular sac arterial red ; bill greyish slate colour. 



I received from Stewart Island in the depth of winter Shags with ample crests, from which I 

 inferred that they were crested all the year round; but, writing to me on September 9th, Marklund 

 says: "I notice the Shags are losing their crests; but I have not been able to get out to their 

 'rookery' yet, on account of the heavy sea which has been running for the last fourteen days." 

 On January 13th he writes : "The Shags have not yet regained their crests." 



I have before me, as I write, eight specimens (all from Stewart Island) from which I 

 take the following notes : — ■ 



(1) Adult (male ?). Has a plentiful crest and a large and conspicuous alar bar of white ; no dorsal spot. 



(2) Adult male. Has a magnificent crest and an abnormal spread of white on the wings, with white 

 overlapping feathers from the upper breast at the humeral flexure ; very large dorsal patch of white, being 

 three inches across and one inch and a-half deep. 



(3) Adult female. Has a splendid crest and great spread of white on the wings ; broad patch of white 

 on the back. 



(4) Adult ( ? ?). Handsomely crested; large alar bar; extensive dorsal patch, almost covering 

 middle of the back. 



(5) Adult ( $ ). Fairly well crested; above and beyond each eye some fine white filaments, about 

 half an inch in length ; conspicuous alar bar ; extensive dorsal patch. 



(6) Adult ( $ ?). Fairly well crested ; distinct alar bar, but no dorsal patch. 



(7) Adult (<?). Well crested; broad alar bar, and broad rectangular dorsal patch. 



(8) Adult (<?). Not crested; otherwise similar to No. 7. 



* As far back as 1863, 1 observed this Shag on the rocks near Port Chalmers, although not near enough to determine 

 its characters. Bat I recorded the fact at the time ; and on looking over the old " type Collection " in the Colonial 

 Museum, quite recently, I came upon a skin of the bird from Otago bearing the following label in Captain Hutton's 

 handwriting : " Bock Shag of Buller." 



