

THE SHAG. 



rHALACROCOKAX GRACULUS. 



Tail graduated, of twelve feathers. In winter, general plumage deep greenish 

 black ; feathers of the back glossy Avith black borders ; orbits and pouch 

 greenish yellow ; bill dusky ; irides green ; feet black. In summer, head 

 crested. Young iinls greenish brown above ; light grey below. Length 

 twenty-eight inches. Eggs greenish blue, chalky. 



Except in the smaller size and differences of plumage 

 mentioned above^ there is little to distinguish the Shag 

 from the Cormorant. Both, too, are of common occur- 

 rence, and frequent the same locahties ; except that the 

 Shag is more disposed to be gregarious : it does not, bow- 

 ever, commonly resort to tidal rivers, and is still more 



