390 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



having insinuated itself into her place on the eggs, but with the 

 head turned the other way (to where the tail of the other bird 

 had been). In a minute or two only the first bird returned, when 

 both immediately flew away together (at 8.40) quaw-eeing. I 

 could then see the eggs plainly. They had not till then been un- 

 covered, one bird having, as it were, squeezed itself on and the 

 other off them. (My tame Doves used to act in the same way, 

 the one snoozling itself up to the other, and thus taking its 

 place.) 



8.55. — One bird certainly (I think two) flew near, clapping 

 their wings loudly and repeatedly. I took them to be the pair. 



8.55. — Two birds (probably the pair) flying about near, clap- 

 ping their wings and quaw-eeing. 



9 (nearly). — Bird flew down direct on to eggs and sat on them 

 (in the accustomed position) for a second on two only, then again 

 flew off quaw-eeing. 



9.5. — A bird settled down somewhere not very far from the 

 eggs, and kept churring. Another bird flew by quaw-eeing. 



9.25. — A bird flew silently down near the eggs, then rose, 

 hovered a few seconds over the tops of the nettles, thistles, &c, 

 and again went down near them. It -then again rose, and 

 hovered over the eggs with its wings aloft over its back (charac- 

 teristic), and once more flew down a little way off. Finally, at 

 9.27 or 9.28, it rose and came down on to the eggs with a 

 clattering noise, made no doubt with the wings. It took some 

 time to settle itself comfortably on to the eggs (which it did in 

 the accustomed position), and then sat silently, not churring. 



9.35. — A bird (the mate, I make no doubt) flew quite near 

 (settled once, I think), clapping its wings and " quaw-eeing." 

 From the sound I thought it clapped its wings whilst settled on 

 the ground, as well as whilst flying, but cannot be sure either of 

 this or that it did settle. During this time, and till 9.45, when I 

 went away, the sitting bird was quite silent. 



June 2Ath. — At 8.10 p.m. found bird sitting, but in a different 

 position, the head being turned the other way. It was a wet 

 night, and came on to rain a little worse as I arrived. At 8.25 

 an Owl flew by (flying fast and high) in exactly the same direction, 

 and about the same time (for I had not looked at my watch) as 

 the night before. 



