I40 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
LITTLE BLACK-AND-WHITE CORMORANT 
Microcarbo rnelanoleucus 
It is remarkable that this little Cormorant, which is 
by far the most numerous of the four, outnumbering 
all the rest put together in the proportion of approxi- 
mately a hundred to one, should not be known to nest 
anywhere in the district, nor is there any considerable 
breeding-place nearer than the Murray River. I am 
told that Cormorants nest on Lake Corangamite, and 
perhaps this is the species ; if not, it is strange that 
such great numbers of the birds should live on Corio 
Bay the whole year round when their nesting-home 
is so far away. Away from the Bay it is less frequently 
seen. I have met with it on the Barwon, and also at 
Airey's Inlet, and occasionally on fresh-water ponds 
in various parts of the district ; but Port Phillip is 
its stronghold. 
In flight it has faster wing-beats than its bigger 
relative, the Large Black-and-white Cormorant, but 
it is hard to identify either species at say a hundred 
yards' distance, unless there are examples of the 
other present to afford opportunity for comparison. 
The whole upper surface, wings, back, and tail are 
black with a slight sheen, the under surface pure 
white. There is a black space in front of the eye. 
The culmen is black, sides of bill yellow towards tip 
and yellowish green towards base. The eyelid is 
dark yellowish green and eye black. Legs and feet 
