SHAG. 
68 
since it is not known to lose sight of the ocean, if we except 
those that reside on the Siberian lakes; neither does it 
follow the course of rivers inland; and it differs in its 
habits from the foregoing species in resorting constantly 
during the breeding season to the rocks ; it is never seen 
to perch on a tree, and consequently much less to place its 
nest in them. The localities chosen are the most barren 
and precipitous rocks that rise out of the sea, or that form 
its natural borders, where vegetation is hardly perceptible, 
and at an elevation of about a hundred and fifty feet. 
The manners of the Shag are very similar to those of 
the cormorant: when perched on the shelf of a rock it 
sits upright, resting on the stiff feathers of the tail, and 
remains in that position for hours; but the present species 
has also a propensity of laying itself so flat on tlie ground 
that it cannot be seen unless the beholder approaches very 
near. The walk of the Shag is unsteady and very un¬ 
willingly performed, it consequently remains frequently for 
some time in the position in which it alights ; it is also 
very fond of sitting on a low piece of rock that is partly 
washed by the waves and foam of the sea; under such 
circumstances the Shag employs much of its time in drying 
its plumage by opening its wings and beating them at 
full length in the air. In swimming and diving this 
species is equally expert with the cormorant, and its 
food, which consists chiefly in fish, it obtains in the same 
manner, namely, by diving. It has been remarked that the 
fish taken by this bird chiefly belong to the species which 
habitually frequent the bottom of the sea, and the Shag 
is thererefore obliged to dive to the depth of from a hun¬ 
dred to a hundred and fifty feet in order to obtain them; 
and its peculiar stiffly formed tail is said to be used by 
the Shag as a powerful instrument to force itself up 
