THE CORMORANTS AND SHAGS. 
217 
Mediterranean, from which I make the following extract, as it 
will give the reader a good idea of the habits of these birds. 
“ A Shag-cavern, when numerously tenanted during the breed- 
ing season, is, although most interesting to a naturalist, indeed 
a gruesome, and, as a Highlander would sa)', ‘ no a wholesome ’ 
place. On pushing into one of these caves in a boat, the 
smell of decaying fish is almost overpowering; a rush of 
great dark birds comes forth above, on both sides, and often 
almost into the arms and faces of the intruders (we always 
‘ backed ’ in), whilst many of the Shags plunge headlong from 
the ledges into the sea, and dive under the boat. 
“ The real way to see the interior in all its weird horror, was 
to illuminate its recesses by a blue light, when in all probability 
many old Shags might be discovered still on their nests or on 
the ledges, twisting their long necks with extraordinary contor- 
tions, dazed by the light, and uncertain whether to go or to 
‘stand by’ their young. However they might decide this 
question, we generally found the stench so horrible, that, after- 
taking in the scene, we were glad to beat a speedy retreat and 
chase any young Shag that might have taken to the sea and be 
unable to fly, with a view to capturing him alive — an attempt 
that, in my experience, was invariably a failure, for, although 
we could often have killed these youngsters, had we been so 
minded, with oars or boat-hook, they always managed to dive 
and conceal themselves amongst the boulder-stones and sea- 
weed at the foot of the rocks.” 
In Great Britain also the Shags prefer to nest in a cave, when 
such is available, and they will occupy every ledge with their 
nests when they find a suitable cavern. In other places, where 
there are no caves, they nest on ledges of cliffs, and, like that 
of the Cormorants, the position of the breeding-place is easily 
discernible from the way in which the cliffs are whitewashed. 
The flight of the Shag is powerful and rapid, and it may often be 
seen skimming along above the level of the water. When about 
to dive, the bird raises itself up and disappears with a curve 
and a dip. It i.s said to use its wings as well as its feet under 
the water, but the Shags which I have watched in confinement 
seemed not to use their wings at all, but to depend upon their 
feet alone to propel them. When a fish is caught, they return 
to the surface of the water to swallow it. 
