THE CORMORANTS AND SHAGS. 



217 



Mediterranean, from which I make the following extract, as it 

 will give the reader a good idea of the habits of these birds. 

 "A Shag-cavern, when numerously tenanted during the breed- 

 ing season, is, although most interesting to a naturalist, indeed 

 a gruesome, and, as a Highlander would say, * no a wholesome ' 

 place. On pushing into one of these caves in a boat, the 

 smell of decaying fish is almost overpowering ; a rush of 

 great dark birds comes forth above, on both sides, and often 

 almost into the arms and faces of the intruders (we always 

 'backed ' in), whilst many of the Shags plunge headlong from 

 the ledges into the sea, and dive under the bpat. 



" The real way to see the interior in all its weird horror, was 

 to illuminate its recesses by a blue light, when in all probability 

 many old Shags might be discovered still on their nests or on 

 the ledges, twisting their long necks with extraordinary contor- 

 tions, dazed by the light, and uncertain whether to go or to 

 ' stand by ' their young. However they might decide -this 

 question, we generally found the stench so horrible, that, after 

 taking in the scene, we were glad to beat a speedy retreat and 

 chase any young Shag that might have taken to the sea and be 

 unable to fly, with a view to capturing him alive an attempt 

 that, in my experience, was invariably a failure, for, although 

 we could often have. killed these youngsters, had we been so 

 minded, with oars or boat-hook, they always managed to dive 

 and conceal themselves amongst the boulder-stones and sea- 

 weed at the foot of the rocks." 



In Great Britain also the Shags prefer to nest in a cave, when 

 such is available, and they will occupy every ledge with their 

 nests when they find a suitable cavern. In other places, where 

 there are no eaves, they nest on ledges of cliffs, and, like that 

 of the Cormorants, the position of the breeding-place is easily 

 discernible from the way in which the cliffs are whitewashed. 

 The flight of the Shag is powerful and rapid, and it may often be 

 seen skimming along above the level of the water. When about 

 to dive, the bird raises itself up and disappears with a curve 

 and a dip. It is said to use its wings as well as its feet under 

 the water, but the Shags which I have watched in confinement 

 seemed not to use their wings at all, but to depend upon their 

 feet alone to propel them. When a fish is caught, they return 

 to the surface of the water to swallow it. 



