440 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



32. On the different Colours of the Eggs of Birds, by M. Gloger. 

 Verand. der Gesells. Natur. Freunde in Berlin. — It is a remark- 

 able provision of Nature, that birds, whose nests are most exposed, 

 and whose eggs are most open, to the view of their enemies, 

 lay egg's of which the colour is the least distinguishable from 

 that of surrounding objects, so as to deceive the eye of birds 

 or of other plundering animals; while birds, the eggs of which 

 have a bright, decided colour, and are consequently very con- 

 spicuous, either conceal their nests in hollows, or only quit 

 their eggs during the night, or begin to sit immediately. It is also 

 to be remarked, that in the species of which the nest is open, and 

 the female brings up the brood without the assistance of the male, 

 these females are generally of a different colour from the male, less 

 conspicuous, and more in harmony with the objects around. The 

 foresight of Nature has, therefore, provided for the preservation of 

 the species of which the nest is altogether exposed, by imparting to 

 the eggs a colour which will not betray them at a distance, while 

 she could, without inconvenience, give the brightest colour under 

 circumstances where the eggs are concealed from view. Or, per- 

 haps, to speak more correctly, numerous birds can deposit their eggs 

 in places accessible to view, because the colour of the eggs makes 

 them be confounded with the surrounding objects, while other birds 

 are obliged to conceal their nests, because the conspicuous colour 

 of the eggs would have attracted their enemies. Let the explana- 

 tion, however, be what it may, the fact exists, and M. Gloger, who 

 has examined all the birds of Germany, has satisfactorily proved it. 



Eggs must be distributed into two series according as their colour 

 is simple or mixed. The simple colours, such as white, blue, green, 

 yellow, are the brightest, and consequently the most dangerous for 

 the eggs. 



i. The pure white, the most treacherous of colours, is found 

 among birds which breed in hollow places, like the woodpeckers, 

 the wrynecks, the roller, the merops, the kingfisher, the snow bunt- 

 ing, the robin, the water owzel, the swallow, the martins. It is 

 only among these birds that the eggs are of a remarkable white- 

 ness. The eggs are also white among some species which, like the 

 domestic swallow, certain passeres, the troglodites, &c. construct 

 their nests with such narrow openings, that the eye of their enemies 

 cannot penetrate within. White eggs are also found with birds that 

 quit them only during the night, or at least very late during the day, 

 such as the owls and falcons. Lastly, this colour is found among 

 birds which lay only one or two eggs, and sit immediately after, 

 like the pigeons, the boobies, and the petrels. 



ii. As to the bright green or blue colour, it is found to belong to 

 many species which make their nests in hollows, like the starling, 

 the bullfinch, the fly-catcher, &c. In the second place, this colour 

 is common to the egg of birds, the nests of which are constructed 

 with green moss, or placed at least in the midst of grass, but always 



