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 



