166 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



catching fish, and to its dexterity, and it only remains 

 to mention the curious way in which this has been put 

 to use by man. In China and Japan tame Cormorants 

 have long been used by fishermen, a leather collar being 

 placed round their necks during the proceedings to 

 prevent them from swallowing their prey. In Europe 

 this has only been a form of ' sport "* — a sort of under- 

 water falconry ! It flourished in this country, especially 

 under the Stuart kings, who themselves patronised it ; 

 but the office of ' Master of the Royal Cormorants ' has 

 no longer a tenant. 



THE SHAG 



(Phalacrocorax graculus). 



The Shag is a smaller, less ungainly, and, on the whole, 

 less common member of the Cormorant genus. From 

 the prevailing greenish tint in its dark plumage, and the 

 upright tuft which both sexes have on the head in the 

 breeding season, it frequently receives the names ' Green "* 

 and 'Crested Cormorant,' the adjectives 'black' or 'great' 

 being applied to its larger relative. It is found widely 

 distributed round all our coasts, but does not penetrate 

 inland. As a breeding species, it is found in localities 

 similar to the maritime haunts of the Cormorant, which 

 it indeed outnumbers on the south-west of England, on 

 the west of Scotland, and On the western and northern 

 Scottish isles. It resembles the Cormorant in habits, in 

 general appearance, and in nesting aiTangements. Its 

 three or four eggs resemble those of the Cormorant in 

 colour, but are smaller. Partially or totally albinistic 

 varieties of both species, it may be remarked, are not 

 unknown. 



