PELECANID&. 363 
THE SHAG, OR GREEN CORMORANT. 
PHALACROCORAX GRACULUS (Linnzus). 
The Shag, also known as the Scart, Scarf, or Crested Cormorant, 
may be distinguished from the preceding species by its smaller size, 
and, when adult, by its prevailing green colour. The illustration is 
taken from a bird in autumn plumage; the crest, which is assumed 
very early in spring and only retained for a few months, is tuft-shaped 
and curved forward. The young are not so easily recognized on the 
wing, but may be distinguished on examination by the tail-feathers, 
which, in this species, are only ‘we/ve in number. The Shag is 
essentially marine, and seldom wanders inland, or to fresh water ; 
its favourite haunts being rugged coasts, especially those honey- 
combed with caves, or shores margined with fallen rocks and large 
boulders, amongst which it often makes its nest. Such situations 
are frequent on the west coast of Scotland and its islands up to the 
Shetlands, and to a great extent along Ireland, as well as in South 
Wales, and in England from the Isle of Wight westward ; and in 
these the Shag is, on the whole, more abundant than the Cormorant. 
By fishermen and seaside folk, however, the trivial names are fre- 
quently interchanged, while the term ‘ Diver’ is sometimes applied 
to both birds, and these facts should be borne in mind. 
