NODDY. 115
The note is harsh, but they also utter a low querulous murmur.
The nesting-places of this bird are banks and rocks.
The nest, which is placed in low trees or bushes, is made of twigs
and dry grass, and that of the former vear is often repaired, being
thus raised to the height of nearly a couple of feet. Thousands of
birds build together.
The eggs, three in number, are of a reddish yellow colour, spotted
with dull red and purple. They are thought very good to eat.
The hen bird while sitting, is fed by the male.
Male; length, one foot two and a half to one foot three inches; bill,
black; iris, dusky brown, a black line runs back to the eye from the
base of the bill. Forehead, white, the crown yellowish grey, shaded
backwards into greyish brown; neck and nape, dark chocolate brown;
chin, throat, and breast, dark chocolate brown. Back, brown; greater
and lesser wing coverts, dark chocolate brown; primaries, brownish
black; greater and lesser under wing coverts, dark chocolate brown.
The tail is rounded, the middle pair of feathers being longer than
the others. It is dark chocolate brown in colour; upper and under
tail coverts, dark chocolate brown. Legs and toes, black; webs, black.