BRITISH BIRDS# 
391 
brownnefs of the under plumage, and alfo in being 
of a much lefs fize ; the largeft Shags weighing 
only about four pounds, and meafuring nearly two 
feet fix inches in length, and three feet eight in 
breadth. The bill is of a more flender make, but 
nearly as long as that of the Corvorant ; the head, 
in the male, is crefted in the fame manner j the 
middle claw is ferrated ; and ks tail, confifting of 
twelve ftiff feathers flained with green, is alfo of the 
fame form and hoary or dirty appearance as that of 
the Corvorant : the crown of the head, hinder part 
of the neck, lower back, and rump, are of a plain 
black, or very dark green, fliining like fattin : the 
upper back, or Ihoulders, together with the fcapu« 
lars and wings, are nearly of the fame colour, but 
with a tinge of bronze brown, and each feather is 
diftindtly edged with purple gloffed black : the un- 
der parts are clouded with dulky dirty white and 
brown. 
The Shag is as greedy and voracious as the Cor- 
vorant, and, like that bird, after having over-gorg- 
ed its ftomach, is often found on fliore in a fleepy 
or ftupified ftate ; but when this torpor is over, and 
they appear again upon the water, they are then 
extremely alert, and are not eafily fliot, for both 
kinds dive the inftant they fee the flafti of the gun, 
and take care afterwards to keep out of its reach. 
In fwimming they carry their head very erecl;, while 
the body feems nearly fubmerged, and from their 
