178 BRITISH “SEA: BIRDS: 
somewhat deep water below the rocks, and retiring 
to some fissure or cave to sleep. Its habits in most 
respects are very similar to the larger species. It 
flies well and rapidly, if in a somewhat laboured 
manner, dives as skilfully as its ally, and often 
indulges in the habit of sitting on the rocks with 
wings extended, basking in the sun. It is equally 
gregarious during the non-breeding season, and it is 
no uncommon thing to see a hundred or more birds 
of this species sitting in solemn statuesque rows on 
some sea-encircled rock, gorged with fish and 
digesting their food. At these gatherings many 
birds may be noticed still fishing in the sea around, 
or flying up to or leaving the rocky resting place. 
The young birds congregate indiscriminately with 
the adults. A fishing Shag is a very interesting 
object. He may be watched quietly swimming 
along, and every now and then springing half out 
of the water, arching his long neck, and then diving 
head first into the sea. Soon he reappears again, 
the body coming into view all at once, it may 
be close to where he dived, or it may be fifty or 
a hundred yards away from the spot where he 
descended. The Shag feeds almost exclusively on 
fishes, and these are chased through the water with 
incredible skill. The bird may thus be watched by 
the hour together swimming and diving, propelling 
itself by its feet, and bringing the captured fish to 
the surface to swallow them. At the approach of 
night the Shag almost invariably betakes itself to 
