466 



16 



Jay, and in size were smaller than those above mentioned, measuring from 30 by 24 to 32 by 24 

 millimetres ; the fourth nest only contained three eggs, resembling Magpie's eggs, all measuring 

 34 by 24 millimetres, and was taken on the 17th March, 1872. The fifth nest was found on the 

 19th of March, 1872; and Dr. Vogel did not take the eggs (which were four in number, in 

 appearance resembling Magpie's eggs), but let them hatch out, in order that he might make 

 observations on the incubation, and on the rearing of the young. The sixth nest was taken on 

 the 25th of April, 1872, and contained four eggs, in appearance resembling Jackdaw's eggs, and 

 in size measuring from 33 by 26 to 34 by 26 millimetres. 



All the above eggs were fresh when found. As regards their weight, Mr. Vogel gives the 

 exact weight of each egg separately ; but I refrain from going into such details, and only say 

 that, when full, the weight varied from 850 to 1150 centigrammes, and, when blown, from 40 

 to 70 centigrammes per egg, the average weight being 1039 centigrammes when full, and 57 

 centigrammes when blown. 



In stating that the eggs in the above-mentioned six nests resemble those of the Magpie, 

 Jay, and Jackdaw, Mr. Vogel expressly adds that he has stated this as the eggs approach nearest 

 to those of the birds mentioned, but that the egg of the Nutcracker is in general a most charac- 

 teristic egg, and can seldom be mistaken by an oologist. 



With regard to the fifth nest, the eggs of which were not taken, Mr. Vogel writes as 

 follows : — " This nest was so advantageously placed, being tolerably low on the precipice, and 

 close to an easy but seldom used mountain-path, that we decided to let it remain, so as to watch 

 the progress of incubation and the bringing-up of the young. On the 14th of March the second 

 egg was deposited, and the last two by the 19th of the same month ; thus the bird had deposited 

 her four eggs at intervals of from two to three days, which, I take it, must be put down to the 

 severe season of the year, food not being abundant. From the time the last egg was deposited 

 the female sat close, and did not appear very shy. Her head could be seen from some distance ; 

 and when under the nest one could see her peeping curiously over the edge of the nest to see 

 who was below. Her tail was not so visible, being held upwards, so that it showed but little 

 over the edge. Only when the tree was knocked, or on any one commencing to climb it, did she 

 silently and quickly leave the nest and disappear ; but directly the danger appeared to have passed, 

 she was on the nest again in an instant. When the nest was taken, on the 18th of May, 1870, 

 five of us watched the nest closely after the female had slipped off, in order to see her return ; and 

 after having waited for about forty minutes I approached close to the nest and found her on it, 

 sitting quietly as if nothing had happened. She had passed our cordon unobserved, which could 

 only have been done by dropping down from some altitude into the middle of the pine group, 

 and slipping quietly from twig to twig to her nest. The female alone incubates, the male taking 

 no share in that duty ; but, on the other hand, he provides her most assiduously with food. In 

 so doing he is most attentive ; and the female in receiving it imitates her progeny by fluttering 

 with her wings and uttering the well-known sobbing notes. She sits very close, and only leaves 

 the nest for the purpose of voiding her excrements, returning again within a quarter of a hour. 



"As before stated, when we first began to watch the nest the bird was by no means shy; but 

 from being continually disturbed she became more and more frightened, and would at last leave 

 the nest before we approached, and I was compelled to give orders that she should not be any 



