184 



Queries and Answers. 



stances, as in the base of the lower mandible of the toucan; 

 or inherent in the horn or bone itself, as in the cassique. In 

 either case, dissection is absolutely necessary, if your cor- 

 respondent wishes to have the beauty of the bill retained or 

 renewed. — Charles Waterton. Walton Hall, Jan. 9. 1833. 



What Relation do the Colour and Markings of any Egg bear 

 to the Bird hatched from such Egg ? — Is it not possible that the 

 variations of colour and markings on the eggs of various 

 species of birds may have some connection with the bird to be 

 hatched ? It must be well known to those who have attended 

 to oology, that there is a great dissimilarity in the colour and 

 spots on the eggs of the blackbird, magpie, starling, canary, 

 &c. Such variations, it appears to me, cannot arise from 

 accident; therefore, by patient observation, perhaps, some 

 cause for it may be found. — C. Birmingham, June 6. 1832. 



Eggs of the Common Fowl remarkably spotted. — Sir, I send 

 you a sketch (fg. 21.) of two hen's eggs, which have recently 



come under my notice ; and, as some doubts are entertained 

 whether or not the spots are natural, I shall be obliged to 

 some of your correspondents to state, through the medium of 

 the Magazine, if such have ever been observed by them. The 

 colour of the spots is as nearly represented as was possible, 

 and there were no marks on any other part of the eggs. — 

 Daniel Stock, Bungay, Jidy 2. 1832. 



Does the Willow Wren (Sylvia Trochilus Lath.) sip the 

 Nectar of the Flowers of the Crown Imperial {Fritillaria im- 

 perialis L.)? — In the tenth edition of Priscilla Wakefield's 

 Introduction to Botany (p. 18.), after describing the nectary 



