BIRDS OF THE LAKES, STREAMS, AND SWAMPS 
239 
23. Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax ater Lesson 
a-ter — L., ater , black. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in Java, 
Borneo to New Guinea, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, and New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Little Black Shag. Usually singly or in flocks, 
frequenting lakes, streams, rocky islets, or inlets. It is similar in habits 
and economy to the Black Cormorant, though more plentiful than that 
species. 
Nest. — A platform, composed of sticks and thin twigs, often with 
leaves attached, placed on a horizontal branch of a tree. Usually breeds 
in large colonies. 
Eggs . — Three to six, pale green, coated with lime. Breeding- 
season: August to December (southern Australia); May and June 
(northern Australia). 
24. White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens Vieillot 
fus-ces-cens — L., fuscescens , becoming brown. 
Distribution. — Southern Australia and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Black-and-white Shag. Usually singly or in 
flocks, frequenting rocky islands and inlets. It is chiefly a coastal bird and 
is similar in habits and economy to the other species of Cormorants. 
Nest. — A flat structure, composed of seaweed and flotsam; placed on 
a ledge of rock. Breeds in large colonies on islands. 
Eggs. — Two to four, pale bluish-white, the surface being more or 
less coated with lime. Breeding-season: October to January. 
25. Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius Gmelin 
var-i-us — L., varius different. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in Lord 
Howe Island and New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Black-and-white Shag. Usually singly or in 
flocks, frequenting swamps, lakes, streams, inlets, or rocky islands. It 
is similar in habits and economy to the other species of Cormorants, with 
which it often congregates. 
Nest . — A substantial structure, built on a firm foundation of sticks; 
lined with green eucalypt leaves and the bird’s quill feathers; placed on 
a horizontal branch of a tree, on a low bush, or on the ground. Breeds 
in large colonies on islands, in mangroves, or in inland swamps. 
Eggs. — Three to five, pale bluish-white, more or less obscured by a 
coating of lime. Breeding-season : September to December ; March to July. 
26. Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucus Vieillot 
Micr-o-carb'-o — Gk, micros, small ; L., carbo, charcoal : met-an-o-leuc-us— 
Gk, melas ( melanos \ black; Gk, leucos , white. 
