BRITISH BIRDS. 369 



THE SHAG. 



SKART, SCARFE, OR GREEN CORMORANT. 



(Carbo Cristatus, Temm. Cormoran largup, Temm.) 



THE form, the aspect altogether, the outward 

 conformation of all the parts, the character, man- 

 ners, and habits, and the places of abode, of this 

 species, are nearly like those of the Cormorant; 

 but they do not associate, and these make their 

 nests on the rugged shelvy sides and crevices of 

 the rocky precipices or projecting cliffs which over- 

 hang the sea, while the others make theirs on the 

 summits above them; and these are at once dis- 

 tinguished from the others by the greenness of the 

 plumage, and also in being of a much less size; 

 the largest Shags weighing only about four pounds, 

 and measuring nearly two feet six inches in length, 

 and three feet eight in breadth. The bill is of a 

 more slender make, but nearly as long as that of 

 the Cormorant ; the head is furnished w r ith an 

 elegant crest, rising from the crown, and bending 

 slightly forward; the middle claw is serrated; and 

 its tail, consisting of twelve stiff feathers, stained 

 with green, is also of the same form, and hoary or 

 dirty appearance, as that of the Cormorant: the 

 crown of the head, hinder part of the neck, lower 

 back, and rump, 'are of a plain black, or very 

 dark green, shining like satin: the upper back, or 

 shoulders, together with the scapulars and wings, 

 are nearly of the same colour, but with a tinge of 

 bronze brown, and each feather is distinctly edged 



VOL. ii. 3 A 



