6 On the Guadalquiver . 



Perhaps our most interesting find on this island was a 

 nest of the black kite. The nest, which contained two 

 eggs, was placed like a heron's, in the reeds. The black 

 kite usually breeds in trees, and sometimes in cliffs and 

 towers. There could be no doubt about this nest in the 

 reeds, for we shot the bird as it flew from it, and the eggs 

 were typical kites' eggs. Our men said it was a common 

 habit of the black kites to build in these tall reeds. Kites 

 were numerous in the neighbourhood, and trees were very 

 scarce, but the reeds seemed to form an efficient substitute. 



As we were nearing the boat, after a four hours' *' fight " 

 with the reeds, we saw three harriers in the air : a pair of 

 Montagu's* (the male slate-grey, and the female dark 

 brown), and a marsh harrier, a much larger bird, with 

 grey wings and tail, and dark body. The smaller birds 

 were stooping at their larger cousin, while he kept tumbling 

 in the air in his endeavours to evade hi^ tormentors. 

 What was the cause of the disigreemant I do not know, 

 but the effect formed a very pretty sight. 



We visited this extraordinary island again on May 13th, 

 and found a nest of Montagu's harrier, containing five 

 eggs. Here, again, we were lucky enough to shoot the 

 female bird, and thus identify the eggs without a doubt. 

 This nest was nothing more than a few pieces of old 

 broken reeds placed on the ground, and well hidden in the 

 midst of a patch of young reeds. We also found on this 

 day a beautiful nest of the marbled duck,t containing 

 thirteen rich cream-coloured eggs. 



Arrived at the boat, we sailed some way down the river, 

 and eventually anchored at the mouth of a small creek, 

 which was to be our camping place for a week or so 



* Cirrus cineraceus, f Anas angnstirostris. 



