Okdee STEGAKOPODES.] 
[Fam. PELECANIDJ5. 
PHALACEOCOEAX BEE VIEO STEIS. 
(WHITE-THROATED SHAG.) 
Phalacrocorax brevirostris, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 26. 
Gracalus brevirostris, Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terror, Birds, p. 20 (1844). 
Garbo fiavagvXa, Peale, U. S. Expl. Exp. p. 270 (1848). 
Halieus brevirostris, Bonap. 0. E. xliii. p 577 (1856). 
Microcarbo brevirostris, Bonap. Consp. Av. ii. p. 178 (1857). 
Garbo brevirostris, Cass. U. S. Expl. Exp. p. 375 (1858). 
Phalacrocorax finscM, Sharpe, App. Voy. Ereb. and Terr. p. 35 (1875). 
Native name. — Kavvau-paka. 
Ad. supra nitenti-niger, interscapulii jilumis meclialiter sordide cinerascentibus : scapularibus et tectricibus alarum 
cinerasceiitibus conspicue velutino-nigro marginatis : remigibus et rectricibus nigris, canescente paullo 
lavatis : frontis nuchasque plumis elongatis, loris cum supercilio distincto, facie lateral! guttureque toto 
albis : subtus nitenti-niger : rostro flavicante, culmine et apice brunnescentibus : pedibus nigris : iride 
saturate brunnea. 
Juv. omninb nitenti-niger : pileo et collo postico brunneo lavatis : gutture et facie lateral! paullb cinerascentibus : 
tectricibus alarum minimis brunneo marginatis. 
Adult. General plumage glossy black, slightly tinged with green on the upper surface ; a line of white extends 
from the nostrils over the eyes, and, spreading into a patch beyond, covers the cheeks, throat, and a large 
portion of the fore neck, often varying, however, in extent in different examples ; wing-coverts and scapulars 
shining greyish black, bordered with satiny black; quills and tail-feathers black, with polished shafts. 
Irides deep chocolate-brown ; naked skin in front of the eyes and bordering the pouch greenish yellow ; bill 
bright yellow, changing to black on the ridge and towards the hook ; legs and feet black. Total length 
24s inches ; extent of wings 34 ; wing, from flexure, 9‘5 ; tail 7'5 ; bill, along the ridge 1'5, along the edge 
of lower mandible 2'4; tarsus 1'25 ; longest toe and claw 3. 
Obs. Some specimens exhibit a few short filamentous white feathers on the posterior sides of the head. 
I have an adult bird exhibiting a seasonal change of plumage from a rusty or brownish black to the 
glossy black, and without any indication of white on the throat or fore neck. This specimen would seem 
to favour the view held by some collectors that there is a small Black Shag in New Zealand distinct from 
F. brevirostris. For the present, however, we must treat it as a melanoid variety of the common species. 
In some examples of this bird there is a tendency in the underparts to change to white, and as a rule the 
extent of white on the throat and fore neck is uncertain and variable. On this account Dr. Finsch seems 
inclined to unite the species with P. melanoleucus (Trans. N.-Z. Inst. v. p. 211). But I have never seen a 
specimen exhibiting the “ frill” or lateral and occipital crests which are characteristie of the last-named 
species. Birds in full nuptial plumage have the feathers of the vertex lengthened, so as to form a slight crest. 
Young. Entire plumage glossy black, inclining sometimes to greyish white towards the base of lower mandible ; 
sides of the head, fore neck, and breast tinged with brown j mantle and upper wing-coverts greyish black, 
with velvety borders and brownish tips. The bill has the upper mandible dark brown, with yellow edges 
and tip, the lower mandible bright yellow, with wavy brown marks in the centre ; legs and feet jet-black. 
Bare membrane around the eyes and at base of lower mandible flesh-colour. 
