shag n also shaig DAE ~ 2 (1737-).
1 Large black sea-bird of the cormorant family (Phalacro-coracidae spp); freq in place-names.
[1773] 971 SEARY 278 Shag Rocks. [1775] 1792 CARTWRIGHT ii, 92 We saw great plenty of cod and caplin round the Dismal Islands; and observed that plenty of shaggs and tinkers breed on them. 1842 JUKES ii, 185 Eider-ducks, sheldrakes, cormorants called 'shags,' puffins ... abound at various parts of the coast. 1891 PACKARD 102 We also saw a king eider flying with a small flock of eiders, as well as several 'shags' and a northern [phalarope]. [1923] 1946 PRATT 202 "The Ritual": ... the cries / Of the curlews issuing from dark caves, / Accompanied by the thud of wings from shags / That veered down from their nests upon the crags / To pounce on bulwarks shattered by the waves. 1951 PETERS & BURLEIGH 67-8 Atlantic Common Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo carbo... Local name: Shag ... a black bird, the size of a small goose, with long neck and long tail ... Nests in colonies on rocky islands or isolated cliffs ... The flesh and eggs of cormorants are so fishy that they are seldom killed or taken for human food. Ibid 69-70 Northern Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus... Local Name: Shag... This species is slightly smaller than the preceding one and is more commonly seen about the coasts... A very offensive bird, especially around the nesting area which is slimy and white from excrement and reeks with the odor of dead fish. 1951 Nfld & Lab Pilot i, 145 Shag Roost, with a depth of 18 fathoms ... over it, lies about one mile west-north westward. 1959 MCATEE 5 ~ Common Cormorant (This name, referring to the shaggy crest, is a transfer from Great Britain where it has long been on record.)
2 Nickname for resident of Grand Bank.
C 47-66 Fortune gallies and the Grand Bank shags. All tied up in wrapper bags. / When the bags began to bust. / The Fortune gallies began to cuss.
