220 



BIRDS. 



number of these birds remain solitary during the breeding 

 season. 1 When fishing, the cormorant is seen paddling 

 quietly about some sheltered bay, often under the shadow 

 of a pier, well knowing that the small fry congregate in 

 such shelter, and every now and then suddenly diving 



head first and swimming some distance under water. It 

 roosts in the ledges of the cliffs. The large nest is of 

 sticks and seaweed ; but it also nests inland, particularly 

 in Ireland. Eggs (laid in May), 3, 2 ^ inches ; pale blue, 

 incrusted with a chalky coating. 



The Shag is a green bird, smaller than the last, but often, 

 though quite unnecessarily, confused with it. In addition 



1 A parallel case of a single old cormorant is to be found at Little- 

 hampton, where a fine male lias haunted the west works for some 

 years. 



