THE SHAG. 485 



In these dreary wastes, the Shags breed amongst broken 

 rocks, or on projecting cliffs advancing into the ocean. In 

 other parts their nests are made among patches of flags, or 

 in tall tufts of coarse grass ; where they inhabit, collected 

 by thousands. The report of a musket does not disperse 

 them, they only rise a few feet, and alight again into their 

 nests, nor is the use of fire arms necessary, for they may be 

 dispatched with sticks, without producing any general alarm 

 by the attack. The flesh of the young is accounted pretty 

 good food. 



The Shag dwells perpetually on the borders of the sea, 

 and rarely ever wanders inland like the Cormorant. On the 

 rocky coasts or on trees in which they sometimes breed, they 

 construct a coarse and bulky nest of sticks and sea-weed, 

 and lay 2 or 3 white eggs of a long oval figure. On a small 

 rock, a little detached from the shore, Montagu counted as 

 many as 30 nests together. The Shag, by reason of the 

 weight of its body in proportion to the feathers, swims deep 

 in the water, showing in fact only the head, neck, and 

 back; but they are most expert divers and devour a prodi- 

 gious quantity of fish. In Holland, near Sevenhuis, they 

 were known to build, like Herons, on tall trees or insulated 

 rocks. In Massachusetts Bay, at the approach of winter, 

 they are seen to assemble in numerous and dense flocks, so 

 that several dozen have been killed at a shot. 



The length of the Shag is about 29 inches. In the icinter dress of 

 the adult, the head, throat, neck, back, and all the lower parts are of 

 a dull greenish-black. Upon the neck are some small obscure whit- 

 ish spots. The feathers of the top of the back and of the wings are 

 dark ash in the middle, each bordered widely with deep black. Naked 

 space around the eyes and small gular pouch reddish -yellow. Bill, 

 reddish-ash, black above. Iris reddish-brown. Feet black, 



41* 



