THE ZOOLOGIST 



No. 843.— September, 1911. 



THE EAVEN AT HOME. 



By Francis Heatherley, F.E.C.S. 



(Plate V.) 



During the autumn of 1908 my friend, H. Earl, explored a 

 likely locality and visited several sites, the points to be deter- 

 mined being accessibility and aspect. He reported on his return 

 that the best site was a nest in a cliff beside a stream. The 

 cliff had a bay in it, and the nest was in an alcove towards the 

 top of the cliff. The hiding-tent could be erected on the other 

 side of the bay just opposite the nest, a little above, and 

 within twenty-five feet of it. The sun reached the nest about 

 midday. He had obtained necessary leave from the landowner's 

 agent, and had made friends with neighbouring shepherd and 

 keeper, who promised to write in the spring. 



At the end of March, 1909, we received news that our Eavens 

 had two chicks and two eggs on March 20th. 



Owing to the exceptional advantages this site seemed to 

 promise for watching the domestic habits of the birds, I induced 

 E. Selous to join us, and on April 7th we met. As Earl had 

 reported that he could see no means of fixing the camera near 

 the nest, I took with me a heavy platform, which could be slung 

 for the camera from the top of cliff. The weight was intentional 

 in view of prevalence of gales, but the only result was to bring 

 the excess luggage charge up to eighteen shillings. 



Whilst having supper at the inn, I asked the girl who waited 

 on us if she knew anything about our Eavens. She told us that 

 Zool. 4,th ser. vol. XV., September, 1911. 2 c 



