PKT,FXANID/E. 



THE SHAG, OR GREEN CORMORANT. 



Phat,acr<)CORAX graculus (Linnreus). 



The Shag, also known as the Scart, Scarf, or Crested Cormorant, 

 may be distinguished from the preceding species by its smaller size, 

 and, when adult, by its prevailing green colour ; while the crest — 

 assumed in spring, and not shown in the illustration, which is taken 

 from a bird in winter-plumage — is tuft-shaped and curved forwards. 

 The young, not so easily recognized on the wing, may always be dis- 

 tinguished on examination by the tail-feathers, which, in this species, 

 are only hvelve in number. The Shag is essentially marine, and 

 seldom wanders inland, or to fresh water ; its favourite haunts being 

 rugged coasts honeycombed with caves, or islands margined with 

 fallen rocks and large boulders, amongst which it often makes its 

 nest. In such situations — which predominate on the west coast of 

 Scotland and in its islands, and along a great extent of Ireland, as 

 vvell as in Wales and the west of England — it is, on the whole, more 

 abundant than the Cormorant ; but it is well to remember that by 

 fishermen and seaside folk the trivial names are frequently inter- 

 changed, while the term ' 1 )iver ' is sometimes applied to both 

 birds. 



