282 RAYMOND PEARL 



Loose in the body cavity were a number of smaii irregular shaped 

 hard masses like hardened yolk. These were not enclosed in the 

 peritoneum and showed no decay. Ovary had four or five small 

 absorbing yolks all below one centimeter in diameter. A few 

 small normal yolks (not showing signs of progressing absorption) . 

 The body weight at autopsy was 1,995 grams. 



While this bird never laid after the operation she frequently 

 went on the trap-nest as though about to lay and was given an 

 "n" or nesting record. (Cf. Pearl [6]). On May 28, 1909, 

 this bird showed visible signs of broodiness and was incarcerated. 

 The visible signs of broodiness ceased on June 2 and the bird 

 was released. As has already been stated she died June 14, 1909. 



This case demonstrates beyond question that it is not necessary 

 for eggs to be completely separated from the body of the bird 

 (i.e., laid) in order for broodiness to occur. There had, of 

 course, undoubtedly in this case been ovulation into the body 

 cavity from the ovary. This is shown by the fact of record and 

 by the masses of incompletely absorbed yolk found at autopsy. 



The second case is of slightly different character, though 

 bringing out the same points. In this operation, the oviduct 

 was not removed but was completely closed near the infundibular 

 end, so that no egg could enter the duct. 



The protocol follows. 



Operation No. 94. April 16, 1909. Bird No. E490. Barred 

 Plymouth Rock. Body weight 2,220 grams. Under ether 

 anaesthesia the bird was opened. An egg about to be laid was 

 removed from the uterus and a large glass marble was inserted 

 into the oviduct at the mouth of the funnel. The funnel mouth 

 was then completely closed with a series of closely spaced stitches, 

 making it impossible for anything to leave or enter the oviduct 

 at that end. The bird made an uneventful recovery from the 

 operation. 



This bird, of course, never laid after the operation, but on 

 July 24 she became broody and continued with visible mani- 

 festations until July 27, at which time she was released. Prior 

 to the operation, the bird's laying record had been as follows: 

 In January she laid 2 eggs, in March 13 eggs, in April 6 eggs 

 before the date of operation. She had never been broody before 

 the operation, but, as already stated, did become so on July 24 

 without any antecedent laying. 



