CHOUGHS 85 



party is all sufficient to send the frightened bird 

 scurrying from out the rock-face kwaar-ing 

 excitedly. Then is she frequently joined by her 

 mate if in earshot, though sometimes, of course, he 

 is already on the spot, and may thus have signified 

 the approximate site of an unknown nest. He 

 has one or more recognised * ' look-outs ' ' on some 

 pinnacle or ledge, from which he is fond of sallying 

 forth periodically to fly round and about with 

 playful, diving flight. Occasionally I have seen 

 both Choughs leave their nest-hole, even after 

 incubation has commenced. When flushed, the 

 pair fly up and down above the precipice. Now 

 they leave it momentarily, making short excursions 

 inland ; now they return with redoubled cries ; 

 and, if great quiet be observed, even if the intruder 

 is close by, one may actually revisit the nest. I 

 have, too, seen the sitting bird, when first dis- 

 turbed, fly off and fetch up its fellow, as if it might 

 assist in repelling the invader. 



The Chough's breeding-season starts in April, 

 and, very exceptionally, eggs are forthcoming in 

 the first half of that month. Normally, however, 

 full ' ' sets ' ' are prevalent between the 20th and 

 30th, though some pairs are habitually later and 

 have not laid until mid-May. In co. Waterford, 

 for instance, this tardy laying obtains, whereas, on 

 the Kerry, and even on the Mayo coast, eggs 

 may confidently be sought at the end of April. 

 Only one brood is reared in the year. 



