BY K. H. BENNETT. 195 



The circumference of the cavity in the centre of the mound in 

 which the eggs are deposited is about three feet, and around the 

 edge of this space the eggs (usually three sometimes four) are 

 placed, this completes the layer ; the whole are then covered with 

 sand to the depth of four or five inches, which is allowed to remain 

 and the second layer is commenced, and so on until the whole 

 (generally four) are completed. The bird lays about twice a-week, 

 thus a long time intervenes between the laying of the first egg and 

 the last, and consequently eggs in all stages, from fresh laid to just 

 on the point of hatching, and young birds, are to be found at the 

 same time. 



During the period of incubation the parent birds, as a rule, visit 

 the nest morning and evening every day ; in the earlier stages this 

 is done to repair the damages caused by native dogs and iguanas, 

 who scratch at the nests in the hopes of obtaining the coveted eggs 

 or young, and also to repair the damage often caused by their 

 more destructive biped foes. As an instance of which I may 

 mention that on one occasion I opened a nest about 10 o'clock in 

 the morning, which contained three eggs. I took only one as I 

 knew from its delicate colour that it was quite fresh. I left the 

 nest open, and having occasion to repass it about two hours 

 afterwards to revisit it, I found the bird had in my absence made 

 it up again. Thinking it might be possible that the egg I had 

 taken was not of that morning's laying, and that whilst I was 

 away the bird laid another, I again opened the nest, but there was 

 but the two eggs, On this occasion I opened the mound to a 

 much greater extent, drawing the sand back to a considerable 

 distance and again leaving it open. Shortly before sundown I 

 returned to the nest again and found all damages repaired. 



As the process of incubation progresses these visits have an 

 additional motive, viz., that of assisting any young bird out of 

 the superincumbent mass by opening the nest ; but that this is 

 absolutely necessary, so far as the chick is concerned, I do not 

 believe, for on many occasions when opening nests I have found 

 the chick so near the surface that a few minutes more would have 

 effected its liberation unaided, and if it could by its own exertions 



