PHALACROCORAX CARBO. 
1185 
A Ceylonese example (January) is as follows : — Head, neck, and throat brownish black, darkening to black, glossed 
with green, down the centre of the hind neck ; the feathers of the head narrowly edged with greyish buff, the 
edgings increasing in width on the sides of the upper neck and down the throat, where the bases of the feathers 
are pale tawny ; the broad white gorget extends up to the ear-coverts, where it darkens into pale brownish, and 
round the lower edge it blends into the dark colour of the throat ; the back and rump are black, as in the adult ; 
the light scapulars, interscapulary feathers, and wing-coverts are pervaded with grey, some of them having a dull 
bronzy tinge, and the margins are not so intensely black as in the adult ; the quills are the same ; flanks and sides 
of the breast black, glossed with green ; the centre of the breast and chest are mixed blackish brown and whitish, 
tinged with ochreous, the tips of the feathers only being blackish, and the remainder oebreous, passing into white 
at the bases ; under tail-coverts greyish, margined with black ; on the upper hind neck and about the head there 
are a few white “ points.” 
An example shot in Wales in October, probably in the 2nd year, is much blacker on the head and down the hind neck, 
the pale margins being very fine indeed ; the scapular and wing-covert feathers are more bronzed in colour, but 
they extend, as in the immature Ceylonese specimen, higher up the hind neck than in the adult ; the fore neck 
is darker, but the centre of the under surface is whiter than in the aforementioned specimen ; the nape and upper 
part of the hind neck and its sides are striated with very fine white filaments, which would therefore appear to be 
put on in the second winter, irrespective of the larger white plumes, which would be donned in the following 
February with the black plumage ; on the thighs there are indications of white patches in the shape of a few small 
short white feathers. I have seen numbers of examples shot in June (just one year old in Wales) without a sign 
of any of these small white feathers on the neck or thighs, so it is clear they are not assumed until the second 
year ; and then they are not of the same character as those of the breeding-plumage, which is, as far as I can 
ascertain from numerous observations made in Wales, put on, but perhaps not in all cases, in the second March 
by birds hatched in May and J une. 
Obs. As will be observed, this species varies considerably in size, the smallest race existing in India and China. 
(1875) says that he had never seen a live specimen nor a skin ever from the north-western parts of India (Sindh, Raj- 
pootana, &c.). He records it, notwithstanding, from Lower Bengal and the countries eastward, and from Jhansi, where 
Mr. Blewitt found it breeding. In Chota Nagpur Mr. Ball met with it at Lohardugga and the Rajmehal hills ; and in 
the above-mentioned region, from which Mr. Hume excludes it, it has been observed by Captain Butler at Mount Aboo 
and in the plains of Guzerat ; whilst Mr. Doig found it breeding on the Eastern Narra river in Sindh. In the Deccan 
Mr. Wenden observed it at Nulwar, and he thinks he saw it again in Sholapoor. 
To the eastward of Bengal it is found in Burmah on the Pegu plains, and is there, according to Mr. Oates, as 
common as the larger species ; in Tenasserim it is local, occurring only on the tract between the Salween and the Sittang. 
As above remarked, I find no recent mention of its occurrence in China, and it is therefore uncertain whether its 
range extends eastward of Burmah. 
Habits . — This Cormorant affects tanks, jheels, and large rivers more than the sea-coast ; in fact all mention of occur- 
rence in the various parts of India which it frequents relates to its being found on fresh water, and not on salt. It is 
said by Jerdon to be “ generally met with in pairs or alone, but occasionally in flocks.” 
The examples I saw at Tamara kulam were drying their outstretched wings in the usual manner after fishing, and 
had taken up a safe position well out of shot ; but, notwithstanding, on my emerging from the jungle they flew off, 
thus demonstrating their shyness. 
Nidification . — In Burmah Mr. Oates found the Lesser Cormorant breeding in reeds in the Myitkyo swamp. At 
the latter end of July nearly all the nests had young birds, so that the nesting-time appears to be late in June. The 
nests were, writes this naturalist, made of the smaller side branches of reeds, and were flat at the top, converging 
to a point below ; they were about 9 inches across and 6 deep, supported on a few bent reeds. The eggs were five in 
number, and resembled in colour those of the other species in India. Dimensions 1-92 to 2T5 inches in length by 
1-27 to 1*4 in breadth. 
Mr. Blewitt found this species breeding in low trees in flooded land in the Jhansi district ; the nests -were made of 
sticks, and contained four or five eggs ; the average size of those taken was 2-1 inches by 1-4. 
