6 PELECANIDA 
this, correlated with the fact that they only use their legs as 
propelling organs, necessitates their making a strong initial 
plunge under water. Indeed, these two birds are divers in 
the strict sense of the word, differing from the Auks, which 
may be said to fly with open wings through the water, in 
pursuit of fry, and sometimes at no great depth below the 
surface. 
Fie. 1.—SHAG., 
Flight.—On the wing the Shag strongly resembles the 
Cormorant, and the two species might easily be confounded 
by persons unacquainted with the difference in the size 
of the birds. The Shag, which is only three-fourths of the 
size of the Cormorant, is generally to be seen flying low 
over the waves from one fishing-ground to another. Except 
when migrating, there is seldom any occasion for the bird 
to rise high in the air, for the nest is generally situated near 
the base of a chiff. 
Voice.—The note is croaking in character, but softer and 
more highly-pitched than that of the Cormorant. 
Nest.—The Shag is gregarious in the breeding-season, 
but the colonies are usually smaller than those of the 
last species. The nest is generally built in nooks and 
to) . . . 
caverns on sea-cliffs, rather than in exposed situations. 
