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. 



