Vol. II, Pt. I] VAN DENBURGH— GALAPAGOS TORTOISES 239 



weather and heavy rains high up on the mountains during the 

 winter season, but it would seem from the actions here cited 

 that these causes have but httle to do with it after all. With 

 this species (Testudo vicina), it might be the mating instinct 

 that causes them to wander down three or four miles from 

 their summer home. 



"Love affairs were in full progress during our stay [March 

 20 to April 2], and the amorous exclamations of the males 

 could be heard at a distance exceeding 300 yards, even in the 

 thick forest. The actions of the tortoises living in the hollows 

 and small valleys along the mountain top were very similar to 

 those of the cattle that occupied the same range. Walking 

 cautiously over a rise we would see perhaps three or four at :: 

 water-hole, drinking, and dispersed in the open valley would be 

 others busily nibbling at the short grass. During the heat of 

 the day many would be seen lying in the shallow pools of 

 water that the heavy rains had formed, or under the bushes 

 near by them. One hot day I saw two large tortoises and two 

 young bulls lying side by side under a small tree. Nearby were 

 other cattle, and another large tortoise was headed for the 

 tree, having just left a water-hole a few rods away. 



"After seeing on this mountain dozens of tortoises of good 

 size, one wonders where the small ones are; but after spending 

 a few days a-foot and seeing the many wild dogs in that 

 region — descendants of those left years ago by sailing vessels — 

 we can only wonder that so many of the large ones remain. 

 From the time that the ^gg is laid until the tortoise is a foot 

 long, the wild dogs are a constant menace, and it is doubtful if 

 more than one out of 10,000 escapes. We certainly saw none, 

 and the natives told us that the dogs ate them as fast as they 

 were hatched. 



"In November, 1897, we found several nests in the lower 

 edge of the forest. Of these, two had been rifled, and the 

 broken egg-shells were what first attracted our attention to 

 them. All the eggs found on that date (November 12th) were 

 perfectly fresh, and we saw two or three newly dug holes 

 with tortoises but a few feet from them. Most of the nests 

 found were in well-traveled cattle or tortoise trails. They 

 were so placed that the sun shone on them but a few hours 

 each day ; when it did it was very hot. Ordinarily it was very 



