16 
CIRCUS CINEEACEFS. 
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. I) an ford and Harvie Brown remark that at Mezoseg, 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 1'72 to 1-51 inch in 
length by 1‘39 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, 
as 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 w r as impossible to say whether she had 
settled or merely gone over the brow of the hill again.” 
