348 THE GAME BIKDS AND WILD FOWL 



Persia early in May and in Dauria by the middle of that month. In Europe it is 

 earlier still, and begins laying towards the end of April. The nest is made in 

 various situations, but almost always in a covered site. Sometimes it is made in 

 holes in cliffs, at others in holes and clefts in the ground, even in the middle of a 

 corn-field ; whilst holes in trees and logs, and the deserted nests of birds of prey, 

 are also selected. Prjevalsky states that it is sometimes made in the fireplaces of 

 houses in deserted Mongol villages ; whilst it has been found amongst a colony 

 of Griffon Vultures and near to nests of the Eaven, the Black Kite, the Egyptian 

 Vulture, and other cliff-haunting birds. It is often made at considerable distances 

 from water, but more frequently in rocks that overhang a stream or lake. But 

 little nest is made, although the eggs usually rest amongst a soft bed of down 

 plucked from the parent's body. The eggs are from eight to sixteen in number, 

 more frequently the former than the latter. They are creamy-white in colour, 

 smooth in texture, and very fragile. They measure on an average 2'7 inches in 

 length by 1'8 inch in breadth. The colour of the down is undescribed. It is said 

 that the male takes no part in incubating the eggs, but we doubt this. In the 

 case of the young he is just as assiduous as the female. Incubation in this 

 species lasts thirty days. The young are carried from the nest to the nearest 

 water by their parents, but in what manner is apparently unknown, some writers 

 asserting in the beak, others on the back, others yet again in the feet. One brood 

 only is reared in the year. 



Diagnostic characters. Tadorna, with the general body-colour rufous- 

 buff, and the wing coverts white. Length, 25 inches. Males in breeding 

 plumage have a narrow black ring round the neck. 



