BLACK BIRDS. 11 



The young birds are of a generally warm brown 

 plumage, and ' lanky ' in form. 



SHAG — 27 inches ; greenish-black ; no white throat or 

 thigh patch ; the back dark gieen, with black edgings to 

 the feathers. 



SHAG. — Form, like the Cormorant (plate 5). 

 Length, 27 inches. Crown, neck, under parts, and 

 back dark green, the feathers of the last edged 

 with black ; wings, tail, legs, and (webbed) feet 

 black ; bill black, yellowish below and about gape ; 

 a forward - curving crest on the forehead from 

 January to May. Resident. 



Eggs. — 3—4, like those of the Cormorant in colour 

 and texture, but smaller (plate 122), 



Nest. — Also like that of the Cormorant. 

 Distribution. — At certain places on the coast cliffs 

 and boulder-strewn shores of Great Britain and Ireland. 



The Shag, or Green Cormorant, is indistinguishable 

 from the Cormorant proper when seen at a distance, 

 being in its form, general blackness, gestures, and 

 flight, to all appearances, the same. Nearer inspec- 

 tion, howeVer, shows the black to be of a pronounced 

 greenish cast, the bird itself notably smaller, and 

 without the bronze back and the white throat-patch 

 of the larger bird. In its feeding and breeding habits 

 also the Shag closely resembles the Cormorant, but 

 shows a marked preference for caves as breeding-sites 

 where such are available. During the time that the 

 Cormorant has the nuptial white patch on the thighs 

 this serves as a further distinguishing mark, the Shag 

 at no time having such an ornament. 



C 



