1G CIECUS CINEEACEUS. 



situation in which it is placed, for if this should be in damp ground, where the water is liable to rise, instinct 

 teaches the bird to raise the body of the nest until above the level at which its eggs might be destroyed. In 

 ' The Ibis,' 1875, Messrs. Danford and Harvie Brown remark that at Meziiseg, in Transylvania, they " found 

 them nesting among reeds, the nest being sometimes considerably above the ground." The nest found by 

 Mr. Saunders in the Isle of Wight was a " mere bottom, lined with dry grass, with an outside border of fine 

 heather-twigs." The eggs are four to six in number, generally white and unspotted, but sometimes bluish 

 white ; the specimen figured by Mr. Hewitson is of a very pale blue : they measure T72 to 1'51 inch in 

 length by 139 to 1*25 in breadth. 



While sitting, the female is said by some writers to be attended by the male, who brings food to her ; 

 but I note that Mr. Saunders writes that, in the course of many hours' watching at different times, 

 he "never observed the male approach the nest as if to bring food or take his turn at incubation." It 

 is possible, however, that some birds display different propensities to others. I conclude this article with 

 quoting still further from the interesting account of the nesting of this species in the Isle of Wight, 

 is touching one of the most interesting features in a bird's economy, viz. its manner of returning to its 

 nest in order not to betray its whereabouts. The writer remarks as follows: — "It was most interesting 

 to watch the movements of the Harrier when returning to her nest ; the wide circles which enabled her to 

 take in the position of any large object on the downs gradually narrowed; then quartering would begin again, 

 to be succeeded by more circles, till every one might be expected to be the last. Then, perhaps, she would 

 change her mind, and go off for another series of wide flights ; but when the moment came there was no 

 hesitation or hovering, but a sudden closing of the wings as she swept over the spot, and she was down in 

 so stealthy a manner, that if the eye were taken off her for a second, it was impossible to say whether she had 

 settled or merely gone over the brow of the hill again." 



