330 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



gether. Took her feeding young. During day, when not engaged 

 in preening, young have been exercising their wings. Each in 

 turn backs on to edge of nest, and flaps its wings vigorously for 

 some minutes. Only some of secondaries and tail-feathers 

 show any quill. Third eyelid filmy, and not as white as old 

 bird's. Saw one deliberately evacuate into nest to-day ; as a 

 rule they back to its edge. Female has not lately carried 

 excreta away. She seems to feed the bigger one first, and 

 keeps on bringing food as long as they cry. Saw female turn 

 summersaults in air to-day and yesterday. Whilst flying round 

 she closed left wing, and made complete turn sideways. Every 

 afternoon lately a pair of Kestrels have come up the valley at 

 the same hour. As they come past the nest the Kavens attack 

 them, but, although they make terrific stoops, the Kestrels easily 

 steer clear of each attack. 



24th. — Eained all day. 



25th. — Cleared up midday. Earl had gone early, and put 

 up a large piece of white tape over nest to scare old birds off 

 till we were ready. Earl left me in tent at 2.15. Old bird back 

 in a few minutes. Very timid about going on to nest, although 

 young crying loudly. When at last she fed them at 2.30 the sun 

 had just become obscured. Earl came at 3 p.m. to see progress, 

 but although I waited till 5.30 there was no more feeding. 

 Although it hailed and rained at intervals during afternoon, the 

 young did not seem to notice it, but went on with their preening 

 and wing exercises. They do not sleep as much now. Saw 

 some more nuptial antics to-day. Both old birds were on the 

 opposite fell most of the afternoon. Once the male, after 

 feeding the female, did a sort of ungainly dance before her ; 

 flapped his wings whilst facing her, and Jumped up into the air 

 three or four times ; jumped up two or three feet. On another 

 occasion they walked after one another, retreating and advancing 

 until I did not know which was which. Then they stood facing 

 one another with their beaks touching. They stood motionless 

 like this for over five minutes. Selous, before he left us, said 

 we might see nuptial antics towards the end of sojourn, as in 

 those that have two broods the antics begin again towards end of 

 first brooding ; so antics may show at same time in these birds, 

 although they have no second brood. 



