144 SHAG 
PHALACROCORAX GRACULUS (Linn.). 
SHAG. 
Manx (see under preceding species). 
The Shag is entirely a sea-bird. It is never found on 
inland water, does not fly across the land, and indeed 
seldom or never indulges in the lofty flight of the Cormo- 
rant. Although in pursuit of food it enters bays and 
harbours, its chosen haunts are the caves and crags of the 
most remote parts of the coast, and here it breeds in 
numbers, being on the whole a much more abundant 
species in Man than its relative, though coming less under 
the observation of the majority of people. Its resorts are 
chiefly on the west coast, but a few Shags breed at Maug- 
hold Head, and possibly at some other points on the east 
of the island, for numbers frequent at all times of the year 
the cliffs and recesses of Pistol, and some cavernous places 
between Groudle and Clay Head form also a favourite 
station, but we have never been able to satisfy ourselves 
that any nests are built at either locality. About the 
Sugarloaf and Spanish Head they breed pretty numerously, 
but must have much decreased since the visit of Jardine, 
who writes (iv. pp. 240, 241): ‘The most extensive colony 
which has ever come under our observation is one in the 
Isle of Man, on the precipitous coast adjacent to the Calf, 
of such elevation that the centre was out of range either 
from the top or from the sea. There they nestled in deep 
horizontal fissures, conscious apparently of their security, 
and would poke out their long necks to ascertain the reason 
of the noise below, or when a ball struck the rock near 
them with the hope of causing them to fly. There were 
hundreds of nests, and the birds not sitting kept flying in 
front of the rock, passing and repassing as long as any- 
