SHAG 7 
The ledges of a sea-cave are often tenanted by several 
pairs breeding in close proximity, while dens in a sea-face 
of boulder clay are also used. A strong pungent odour 
pervades these dwelling-places, more especially when the 
young are hatched or when incubation is far advanced. In 
some cases solitary nests are built in recesses between loose 
rocks and boulders. The Shag sits very closely on her nest, 
sometimes allowing herself to be touched and even stroked 
with the hand; in many instances, however, she will bite 
savagely. Once, on Lambay Island, I endeavoured to lift 
a bird off her nest, but she held so firmly to the ledge of 
the cave with the hooked extremity of her beak, that I 
was obliged to set her free. With alow hoarse croak she 
instantly retreated into the cave. The nest is composed 
of damp decaying seaweeds and other vegetation, firmly 
pressed into a compact mass. The eggs, three to four in 
number, resemble those of the Cormorant, but are smaller ; 
their shells are roughly coated with lime. 
Incubation begins early in April. 
The young, when first hatched, are naked and blind, and 
are fed in the same way as young Cormorants. 
Geographical distribution. — Abroad, the geographical 
distribution of this species is more restricted than that of the 
Cormorant. The Shag is common in the Faroes, on the 
coast of Norway, and on some of the islands off the coast of 
Russian Lapland. It breeds in the Channel Islands, also 
on the west coasts of France, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. 
DESCRIPTIYE CHARACTERS, 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Head, (which from 
January to May is surmounted by a handsome rosette-like 
crest of soft wavy recurving feathers), neck, breast and 
abdomen, rich metallic-green, reflecting tints of purple and 
bronze ; feathers of the back and wings, dark green with 
blackish margins; primaries, and tail (of twelve feathers) 
black. 
Adult female nuptial.—Similar in colour to the male. 
Adult winter, male and female.—'The head-crest is 
absent. 
Immature, male and female.—Head, back of neck, back 
and wings, dark brown with a greenish shade ; throat, breast 
and abdomen, lighter brown, mottled with grey. 
