186 EGYPTIAN BIRDS 



Lapland and Siberia, but that they do there is 

 abundance of proof; and it must always be 

 remembered that these migrant birds seem to 

 choose the most northerly point of their migration 

 to breed and rear their young, so that when you 

 see flocks wending their way back in the spring- 

 time all up the Nile valley you must picture them 

 as on their way to their northern homes, either 

 in North Germany, Russia, or Scandinavia. They 

 make but a rough nest on the ground in some 

 parts of the great marshes they love, on little 

 islands or tussocks of coarse grass. Only two 

 eggs are laid, of a rich brown colour with dark 

 spots : and the young are especially lively, running 

 about with ease a few days after being hatched. 

 Therein they contrast strongly with the young of 

 the Heron, which remain in the nest for long 

 weeks, and must have every scrap of food brought 

 right up to their nursery. 



Cranes' plumage, after the summer's work is over, 

 fades very greatly, and I have seen it stated that 

 the lovely lilac-grey altogether vanishes, leaving but 

 a very dirty, grey-brownish plumage. This is also 

 true of the Heron, and doubtless of all birds whose 

 delicately coloured plumage is put on for the breed- 

 ing season, for the wear and tear that these delicate 



