PLATE 



X VIZ. 



PHALACROCORAX NOV/E-HOLLANDI/E (Stephens). 



AUSTRALIAN CORMORANT. Genus: Phalacroourax. 



rilHIS is the Australian representative of the Common Cormorant so well known round the coasts of 

 Great Britain. Our variety is larger than the European Cormorant, and is considerably the 

 largest of the Australian species. It is common in the bays, inlets and river mouths of the 

 southern part of this continent, and in Tasmania it is abundant. There it ascends the rivers to 

 considerable distances, and on some of the inland lakes it is found breeding. 



In its habits, the Australian Cormorant entirely resembles its European ally. Its food 

 consists of fish, and in wariness and shyness it is not outdone by the Phalacrocorax Carbo of the 

 northern hemisphere. The latter lias such keen powers of sight and such quickness in diving that, 

 when it sees the flash of a gun, even at quite a short range, it will dive and be in safety under 

 water before the shot reaches the place where it was swimming. The Australian variety is equally 

 cunning and quick in keeping out of danger. When perched on the trees it is very difficult of approach 

 by the sportsman, and in flying it ascends to enormous heights, frequently soaring in great circles till 

 almost out of sight. Its average weight is about six and a half pounds. 



The nest is built of sea-weed and marine vegetables : it is placed on a sheltered ledge of 

 rock, and two eggs are laid at a time, of a faint blue colour. 



On leaving the shell, the young are covered with a scanty coat of black down : when the 

 feathers come they are lighter in colour on the upper surface than those of the adult. 



Sides of the face and a strip down the throat, buff; crown of the head, including the 

 lengthened feathers, neck, upper part of the back and under surfaces, rich metallic-green ; wings, 

 brown with a margin of greenish black ; tail, brownish, with more green ; a band of white on the 

 flank ; irides, green : bare skin on the lace, and throat, ochre ; bill, greyish, cuhnen and tip darker. 



Length, 84 inches; bill. 4 inches; wing. 13| inches; tail, 8 inches; tarsi. 2^ inches. 



Habitats ; Tasmania and southern parts of Australia. 



