ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATION IN ICELAND. 63 



amongst the green grass and moss of the ledge. I cannot now 

 say which of the two birds it is, the one that flew off the nest to 

 join its mate, or this latter.* One fact seems establishing itself, 

 viz. that the sitting bird does not wait on the nest for the other 

 to relieve it, but flies out to it, when it appears. It is now 

 5.30 a.m., and the Eagle is still sitting. 



A little while after this, the tent having sagged down con- 

 siderably, being, one of the few vices (another was leaking) which 

 I found it in time to possess, I very unfortunately went outside, 

 again, in order to tighten the cords, and, as I came round it, saw 

 one of the Eagles quite near. I am caught, as it were. Which 

 one it is, I cannot say, but as I creep into the tent again, and 

 look through the window, I see both of them sailing together. 

 They float away, and return again, several times, sometimes 

 uttering the disquieted cry of yesterday, that which has been 

 called a bark, though it has only a fanciful resemblance to 

 one. One then makes, once or twice, as if about to descend 

 on the eyrie, but appears to think better of it, both pass to- 

 gether over the brow of the cliff, and up to now (6.45) they 

 have not returned. 



At 7 one of the birds flies close over the nest, but does not 

 go down on it. 



7.45. — Both are now back, in the neighbourhood, and one 

 passes close above the nest twice (unless each does so succes- 

 sively), but still without alighting. I cannot discover that the 

 birds show any apprehension. I have heard, just before, the 

 little squealing cry, which seems to be one of greeting, and not 

 of alarm. 



8.5. — One of the Eagles down on the nest, and broods the 

 eggs with great care, spreading its wings, and, as it were, flat- 

 tening itself on to them. The white tail is also spread out, and, 

 as it seems, moved from side to side. This is what I seem to 

 make out before the bird disappears in the cup (if it has one) of 

 the nest. What object these actions may serve, or whether they 

 stand in any special relation to the eggs, it is not easy to say. 



* At this stage I had not come to distinguish the two surely. The female, 

 however — or the one that, almost alone, brooded the eggs — was more hoary 

 than the male, who was browner. Relative size, under the conditions, was 

 not a very distinguishable feature. 



