OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 119 



numerous on the larger end of the egg. They measure on an 

 average it 5 inch in length by "85 inch in breadth. Owing to 

 the watchful, wary habits of the parent bird, who is careful to 

 leave them the moment danger approaches, the eggs are 

 diflScult to find, as they bear such a close resemblance to the 

 ground on which they rest. The young after they are hatched 

 soon follow their parents in quest of food. If menaced by danger 

 the old birds often become very demonstrative, and keep up an 

 incessant chorus of shrill notes as they fly about the air above 

 the head of the intruder until he leaves them in peace. Only 

 one brood is reared in the year, and the young and their parents 

 keep together for some little time after the former can fly. 



Diagnostic Characters. — yEgiaUHs, with the outer tail 

 feather less than a quarter of an inch shorter than the central 

 ones, the scapulars the same colour as the back, and only the 

 shaft of the first primary white. Length, 6-5 inches. 



