ON INCUBATION. 325 



first egg hatched on June 13th, the second on June 14th, 

 and the third and fourth on June 15th. 



The Marsh-Harrier (C. ceniginosus), Montagu's Harrier 

 {C. cineraceus), and Hen-Harrier {C. cyaneus) have all 

 been recorded as sitting from the laying of the first egg — 

 at least, as in other cases, I deduce it from the statement 

 that the young vary in size and development. Howard 

 Saunders, in the Zoologist for 1875, wrote the following 

 significant passage concerning the nesting of Montagu's 

 Harrier. After the bird had been disturbed from the nest, 

 " when Rooks were about, and particularly if they 

 crossed the line of the nest, she displayed great anxiety, 

 and occasionally made a dash at one or two of those 

 nearest, sometimes uttering a cry something like that of 

 a Kestrel, but feebler and more querulous. There was 

 reason for her antagonism, for both Rooks and Carrion- 

 Crows (there are plenty of the latter in the Island) showed 

 by their movements that they were perfectly aware of 

 the position of the eggs, and I soon learned to dread them 

 more than any prowling cowherds." 



John Wolley recorded instances of the Golden Eagle 

 (A. chrysaetus) sitting with the first egg laid, and it is 

 interesting to note that the same ^\'as the case with a pair 

 belonging to the late Lord Lilford, the hen sitting closely 

 at first, and subsequently both sexes by turns.* 



There are several records of the Common Buzzard (B. 

 vulgaris) incubating from the laying of the first egg, and 

 my experience has been that this is the habit of the species. 

 The Rough-legged Buzzard (B. lagojms) and the Honey- 

 Buzzard (P. apivorus) have both been noted as sitting 

 closely as soon as the first egg has been deposited, as does 

 also the Kite (M. ictinus). 



My experience of the Peregrine Falcon (F. j^eregrimis) 

 has been that it is ovitegous. This species lays early in 



* other Eagles in which the young are found in different stages of 

 development and the eggs are not hatched simultaneously, are the 

 Sea-Eagle {H. albicilla), the Imperial Eagle {A. mogilnik), and the 

 Great Spotted Eagle (.4. clanga). These I can record from my own 

 observations. — F. C.R.J. 



