” 
DIVERS, GREBES, AND CORMORANTS. 179 
the shelter of some cave or fissure ; and it is no un- 
common sight along the rock-bound shore to see a 
dozen of these birds hurrying along close to the 
sea in silence towards the rocks where they sleep. 
The Shag breeds in May. Its favourite nesting 
haunts are the caves and fissures in the cliffs, but 
where such are wanting, or not available, the bird 
will content itself with a cranny amongst the rocks 
of a low island. If plenty of accommodation exists 
many pairs of Shags will nest in company; where 
suitable sites are scarce the birds breed in scattered 
pairs along the coast. It is more than probable that 
the Shag pairs for life: it returns season by season 
to its old nesting-place. The nest of this species 
is either wedged into some crevice of the sides or 
roof, or made upon a ledge in a cave; sometimes a 
hole in the face of a wall-like cliff is chosen; less 
frequently a site is selected amongst the rough 
boulders on a reef; or even on a ledge of the cliffs 
where they overhang considerably. In most cases 
the nest is bulky and made of sticks, stalks of plants, 
and sea-weed, lined with straws, coarse grass, and 
turf, all more or less matted together with droppings, 
decaying fish, and slime, and smelling most un- 
pleasantly. Many nests are enlarged and patched 
up year by year. The two, three, or four eggs are 
a little smaller than those of the Cormorant, of a 
delicate bluish-green where the thick coating of lime 
does not conceal it. The Shag shows more reluct- 
ance to leave its nest than the Cormorant does. 
