SEA-CLIFFS IN NESTING TIME 



i3S 



station, and only one in Wales. The common cormorant 

 is found in greater or smaller numbers on all suitable parts 

 of our coasts, and the green cormorant, or shag, becomes 

 commoner as one goes westwards. The shag does not 

 breed on the south coast east of the Isle of Wight, while 

 on the west coast of Ireland it is considerably the commoner 

 species of the two. It is a little smaller than the common 

 cormorant ; and the two birds can be distinguished when 

 in full plumage in the early spring by its crest, which is 

 large, and points forwards. The cormorant in early spring 



has less conspicuous crestlike plumes, which point back- 

 wards in the usual way. The metallic gloss of the cormo- 

 rant's plumage is partly green, but in the shag it is a good 

 deal greener. 



The two cormorants and the gannet are birds singularly 

 full of a wild individuality, and add greatly to the attraction 

 of any tract of sea-cliff where they occur. Their appearance 

 and manner of fishing are very different. Gannets appear 

 snowy-white at a distance, but for the black tips to their 

 wings ; and old cormorants look coal-black, though there is 

 a greenish gloss in their plumage which is more pronounced 

 in the case of the shag. Cormorants fly low and heavily 

 close above the water, and spend much time in swimming 



