32 Cormorants 



cave, and others falling clown, tail foremost oftener than head fore- 

 most, anyhow into the water below, and making their escape by 

 diving. 



The nests and surroundings are much less offensive than are 

 those of the Gannet, or even of the Common Cormorant, in my 

 experience ; chiefly because the excreta and fishy remains that would 

 naturally accumulate about the spots, are thrown over or drop 

 over into the sea below, and the constant drenching with spray 

 probably assists in the cleansing process. Nor has the bird itself 

 that disgusting pungent, musky odour that clings so long to the 

 Gannet and Cormorant, even to the skins in 3'our cabinet. 



The young are born blind and naked, and are exceedingly ugly, 

 and increasing age brings little improvement in the matter of looks. 

 They gradually acquire a sooty-brown covering of down, and this 

 in its turn is gradually shed, as the dull brown feathers of the first 

 plumage make their appearance. 



Fig. 2. 



The adult bird in, say, the latter end of February, is a very hand- 

 some object, in a bottle-green dress, with a lustrous metallic sheen, 

 which lights up wondrously in the sun's rays. 



The sexes are alike, and both are adorned with a crest of curled 

 feathers on the top of the head, the curl being directed forwards, 

 giving the bird rather a rakish appearance (Fig. 2) . This adornment is 

 acquired early in January, or even by the end of December, attains 

 its full beauty by the middle of March, and is lost, or nearly lost, 

 by the beginning of May, before incubation has commenced. 



Shags, of course, live on iish, and are the most hard-working 

 of birds in pursuit of their prey. As a rule, they fish only at certain 

 hours of the flood and ebb, and prefer a grouncl where a strong tide- 

 race is running, such as one may find between an island and the 

 mainland. 



To such a feeding ground they may be seen streaming out 

 from the rocks just as the day begins to break, if the tide serves to 

 their mind. For the next two or three hours, one may watch them 

 singly, in pairs or in small parties, according to the season of the 

 year, diving almost without intermission. Then the tide begins to 



