The Sea=birds of the Fame Islands 



189 



Each of tliese birds is eii(>aocd in iiieubatino- its single 

 egg. Like tlie Puffins, they only lay one, and, like these 

 birds also, the egg is disproportionately large foi" the si/e 

 of the bird, so niueh so that it would not l)e capable of 

 covering two. 



Their eggs, as is Avell known, show an extraordinary 

 diversity in colour and markings. The ground-colour of 

 some is quite white, others are l)right green, and every con- 

 cei\'able shade of yellow and brown, and sometimes blue, is 

 to be seen. The markings are generally striking and bold 

 in character ; but tliese, too, vary as much as the groimd- 

 colour, so that out of hundreds of ei>"s no two will be 

 found alike. It may be that this diversity ser\es a useful 



.tri^t^ 



The PiNNAi 1 xs. Drawn from Photogkaphs. 



