670 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



To supplement observutious on the plienomeua of xenia in maize (E. S. R., 

 23, p. 38) the author mated an Italian cocli, of partridge color, with a Plymouth 

 Rocli hen. The shells of some of the eg,gs subsequently laid by the hen were 

 white, which indicated that the formation of the shell was in part a function 

 of the germ. This is considered to be of the same nature as the xenia in plants. 



Observations were also made on the inheritance of the feather color in the 

 hybrids. 



The development of certain instincts and habits in chicks, F. S. Breed 

 (Behavior Monographs, 1 {1911), No. 1, jjp. 78, fiys. 11). — A study of the in- 

 stinctive reactions, such as drinking and pecking, and of acquired reactions to 

 color, form, and size. 



The early post-embryonic life of the chicks continued the scope of activities 

 already begun in the egg. The water was usually found by fortuitous pecking, 

 or by performing the drinking movement in imitation of other chicks. The 

 stimulus for the pecking reaction did not have to be some object of the size 

 convenient for -eating. The bill of the chick was used as a testing organ. It 

 did not appear that the effect of social influence was such as to increase the 

 rate of improvement in the accuracy of the pecking reaction. The chicks 

 responded selectively to 1 of 2 objects of different size. The results of the form 

 tests reported were purely negative. The color quality, as well as intensity, 

 was assumed to be a determining factor in reactions. For the acquired reac- 

 tions the " index of modifiability " is considered a more satisfactoiy name than 

 " trial and error." 



Studies on the physiology of reproduction in the domestic fowl. — V, Data 

 reg'arding the physiology of the oviduct, R. Peabl and Maynie R. Cuktis 

 (Jour. Expt. ZooL, 12 (1012), \o. 1, pp. 09-132, figs. .}).— A study of the lower 

 portions of the oviduct led to the following conclusions : 



"After entering the infundibulum the yolk remains in the so-called albumin 

 portion of the oviduct about 3 hours, and in this time acquired only about 40 to 

 50 per cent by weight of its total albumin and not all of it as has hitherto been 

 supposed. During its sojourn in the albumin portion of the duct the egg 

 acquired its chalazse and chalaziferous layer, the dense albumin layer, and (if 

 such a layer exists as a distinct entity, about which there is some doubt) the 

 inner fluid layer of albumin. 



" Upon entering the isthmus, in passing through which portion of the duct 

 something under an hour's time is occupied instead of 3 hours as has been 

 previously maintained, the egg receives its shell membranes by a process of 

 discrete deposition. At the same time, and during the sojourn of the egg in 

 the uterus, it receives its outer layer of fluid or thin albumin which is by 

 weight .50 to 60 per cent of the total albumin. This thin albumin is taken in 

 by osmosis through the shell membranes already formed. When it enters 

 the egg in this way it is much more fluid than the thin albumin of the laid 

 egg. The fluid albumin added in this way dissolves some of the denser albumin 

 already present, and so brings about the dilution of the latter in some degree. 

 At the same time, by this process of diffusion, the fluid layer is rendered more 

 dense, coming finally to the consistency of the thin layer of the laid egg. The 

 thin albumin layer, however, does not owe its existence in any sense to this 

 dilution factor, but to a definite secretion of a thin albumin by the glands of 

 the isthmus and uterus. The addition of albumin to the egg is completed only 

 after it has been in the uterus from o to 7 hours. Before the acquisition of 

 albumin by the egg is completed a fairly considerably amount of shell sub- 

 stance has been deirosited on the shell membranes. For the completion of the 

 shell and the laying of the egg from 12 to 16, or exceptionally even more, hours 

 are required." 



