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PHALACROCORAX LEUCOGASTER {Gould). 



WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT. Genus: Phalacrocorax. 



f 1 1HIS is almost the most gaily coloured of all the Cormorants ; when a large number are seen 

 assembled together, according to their custom, they form a conspicuous and beautiful feature in any 

 scene. They frequent principally the coast of Tasmania, and may be found in the rivers of that island, 

 which they follow up almost to their source. In Bass's Straits they are found in the greatest numbers; 

 in the southern parts of Australia they are by no means rare, but are more seldom met with towards 

 the northwards. 



Its food consists of fish and aquatic animals, in the capture of which it shows the same skill as 

 the rest of its tribe. 



The sexes are entirely similar in appearance. Until they have passed their first year, the young 

 are tinged with a brown shade on the upper surfaces and the same colour occurs in spots on the neck ; 

 the rest of their plumage is white. 



The nest is circular, usually made of sea-weed, and mostly placed on low-lying sheltered ledges 

 in the rocks. Two eggs are laid, which are of a faint blue colour. 



The full-grown bird has the front and crown of the head, back of the neck and rump, black, 

 with a tinge of green. All the upper surfaces, greenish-black ; wings, a lighter shade, each feather with 

 a black margin : on the forehead and back of the neck are some long-shaped white specks ; throat, front 

 of the neck and all the under surfaces, white ; naked skin round the eye, brown ; irides, green ; bill, 

 horn-colour ; legs and feet, grey. 



Length, 26 inches; bill, 3 inches; wing, 11^ inches; tail, 5f inches; tarsi, 2^ inches. 



Habitats : Coasts and larger rivers of Tasmania, and of Australia in the temperate portions. 



