54 NODDY. 



They feed on small fish, on which they either swoop in their 

 flight, and so snatch up, or take while swimming about. 



The note is harsh, but they also utter a low querulous 

 murmur. 



The nesting- pi aces of this bird are banks and rocks. 



The nest, which is placed in low trees or bushes, is made 

 of twigs and dry grass, and that of the former year is often 

 repaired, being thus raised to the height of nearly a couple 

 of feet. Thousands of birds build together. 



The eggs, three in number, are of a reddish yellow colour, 

 spotted with dull red and purple. They are thought very good 

 to eat. 



The hen bird while sitting is fed by the male. 



Male; length, one foot two and a half to one foot three 

 inches; bill, black; iris, dusky brown, a black line runs back 

 to the eye from the base of the bill. Forehead, white, the 

 crown yellowish grey, shaded backwards into greyish brown; 

 neck and nape, dark chocolate brown; chin, throat, and breast, 

 dark chocolate brown. Back, brown; greater and lesser wing 

 coverts, dark chocolate brown; primaries, brownish black; 

 greater and lesser under wing coverts, dark chocolate brown. 

 The tail is rounded, the middle pair of feathers being longer 

 than the others. It is dark chocolate brown in colour; upper 

 and under tail coverts, dark chocolate brown. Legs and toes, 

 black; webs, black. 



