However, a slight lag in the nesting period was evident in the 

 1985 nesting season. 



The number of eggs per clutch ranged from 93 through 223. 

 The frequency distribution of clutch size was about the same for 

 the two years; modal values were 145 and 155 eggs per clutch in 

 1985 and 1986, respectively. A scatter diagram was constructed 

 with the aim of establishing the possible relationship between 

 clutch size and body size. Hirth (1980) and Witzell (1983) 

 stated that fecundity depends upon female body size in a direct 

 relationship. However, McKeown (1977) and Garnett (1978) were 

 not able to confirm the statement. In many species there is a 

 direct relationship between these two variables, and the 

 difficulties of identifying all nests for each single female may 

 be why this relationship has not been shown. 



A total of 233 individual juveniles was measured during 

 1985, 1986 and 1987, as well as 17 (1985), 30 (1986) and 15 

 (1987) adults. The juveniles ranged from 120 to 640 mm; the 

 adults were between 900 and 1,140 mm. 



Taking care of eggs has been the main activity for the 

 protection of this resource. In 1985, 23,357 eggs were 

 collected, while in 1986, 11,721 eggs were collected. 



313 



