Oedee STEGANOPODES.] 
[Eam. PELECAA^IDiE. 
PHALACEOCOEAX MEL ANOLEUCU S. 
(FRILLED SHAG.) 
Phalacrocorax melanoleucus, Vieill. N. Diet. viii. p. 88 (1817). 
PhalacroGorax flavirhynclms, Gould, P. Z.S. 1837, p. 157. 
Graucahis flavirostris, Gray, in Dieff. Trav. ii., App. p. 201 (1843). 
Gracalus melanoleucus. Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Birds, p. 20 (1844) *. 
Graculus melanoleucus. Gray, Ibis, 1862, p. 251.. 
Halieus melanoleucus, Bonap. C. R. xliii. p. 577 (1856). 
Microcarlo melanoleucus, Bonap. Consp. Av. ii. p. 177 (1857). 
Ad. pileo colloque postico et corpore supra nigris, scapularibus et tectricibus alarum viridi nitentibus, velutino- 
nigro marginatis : pileo et collo lateralibus cum corpore subtus toto albis : corporis lateribus, subalaribus et 
axillaribus nigris : rostro flavicanti-brunneo, culmine saturatiore : pedibus nigris ; iride saturate bruunea : 
regione opbthalmica flava. 
Adult. Crown of the head, hind part of neck, and general upper surface, as well as the sides of the body, flanks, 
axillary plumes, and inner lining of wings glossy black; wing-coverts and scapulars greenish black, with 
ebony-black edges; face, tbroat, fore part and sides of neck, and all the under surface pure white; wing- 
feathers and tail black. Irides dark brown ; space round the eyes yellow ; bill yellowish brown, deepening 
to black on the ridge ; tarsi and feet black. The feathers of the forehead are narrow and elongated, forming 
a slight vertical crest ; the white plumage of the face and the feathers of the hind head are likewise pro- 
duced, forming tolerably distinct lateral and occipital crests. Length 24-5 inches ; wing, from flexure, 9-5 ; 
tail 6'25 ; bill, along the ridge 1'25, along the edge of lower mandible 2'1 ; tarsus 1'25 ; longest toe and 
claw 2‘6. 
Young. Differs only in having the feathers of the upper surface margined more or less with pale brown, and the 
plumage of the underparts of a less pure white, obscurely mottled with brown. 
The Frilled Shag, although dispersed over every part of Australia, is a comparatively rare species iu 
New Zealand, if indeed it does occur at all ; for I am inclined to think that the supposed examples of 
Phalacrocorax melanoleucus, recorded from time to time, are nothing but P. Irevirostris in the 
occasional pied plumage already described. 
There is, however, a locally-killed specimen in the Auckland Museum whicli seems inseparable 
from the Australian bird. It has a distinct frontal crest and a well- developed frill, the white feathers 
of the upper fore neck being lengthened, almost sufficiently to meet at the back. 
This species resorts to the rocky shores of bays and estuaries, as well as to inland rivers and 
lagoons ; and it is said to breed in trees, several pairs being generally associated together. 
* Afterwards named Phalacrocorax finsclii by Mr. Sharpe, who thus distinguished it: — “P. similis P. melanoleuco sed 
tectricibus alarum medianis exterioribus albis, speculum vel fasciam alarem formantibus : axillaribus tantum nigris, nec corporis 
lateribus ut in P. melanoleuco nigris, distinguendus.” But Mr. Sharpe’s type is undoubtedly an albinoid variety of P. bi evi 
rostns (see page 168). 
