454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 



In conclusion, I would briefly point out a few facts which to my way of 

 thinking are inexplicable on the theory that eggs in nests are protectively- 

 coloured, but which follow from, or at any rate present no difficulty on, 

 the assumption that such eggs are in a state of panmixia : — 



1. Allied species of birds, even though their nesting habits are very- 

 different, as a rule lay similarly coloured eggs. 



2. Eggs laid in domed nests certainly do not need protective colour- 

 ing, yet many of these are coloured. 



3. The same is true of many eggs laid in holes, in trees or in 

 buildings. 



4. The protective resemblances of eggs which are laid in the open 

 are apparent to every one, which certainly is not true of those deposited 

 in nests. 



5. Many birds lay eggs which exhibit very great, variations. 



6. Some birds lay eggs of different types, and these sometimes 

 differ from one another so greatly, that it is difficult to believe that they 

 could have been laid by the same species. 



