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Review o/M. 0. Des Murs' 'Oologie Ornithologique.' 329 



" Semi-pennes (exceptionnellement elliptique) . 



Rapaces 1 



Passereaux (except, ovalaire) . '\ , 



, ' . . >- ovee . . I 



Gallinaces (except, cylindrique) J 



EcHASsiERS (except, ovalaire et ovee) ..ovoiconique 



Palmipedes (except, ovdiconique et elliptique) . J 



Impennes 



Our author then proceeds to consider Monstrosity of Form, 

 and the causes to which some of its very curious effects are due. 

 We are sorry we have not space hei'e to give even an outline of 

 what he says on this part of the subject^ treated as it is in a very 

 masterly manner ; and we must pass over for the same reason the 

 interesting section respecting the disproportion existing between 

 the size of certain eggs and that of their parents. 



To the Nature of the Shell, or, as it is commonly termed by 

 collectors in this country, its " Texture," M. Des Murs devotes 

 several pages, and arranges eggs with regard to this character 

 into seven " series," which we will attempt to illustrate as before 

 by a few well-known instances. 



1st. Eggs with 2i glossy surface, as shown in Alcedo. 



2nd. Eggs with a smooth shell, but less glossy than the pre- 

 ceding, — a group which embraces nearly all the Passeres and 

 Gallin(S. 



3rd. Eggs of a substance dull and uniform, as those of the 

 Rapacious birds. 



4th. Eggs with a ^nv^^ce granulated or roughened ("piquetee"), 

 as in those of the Ostrich. 



5th. Eggs whose shell has a greasy or oleaginous appearance, 

 as those of the Ducks. 



6th. Eggs whose shell, greasy as in the last, is besides varied 

 with calcareous protuberances, of which the Grebes offer a familiar 

 example. 



7th, Eggs covered with a cretaceous film or sedimentary pulp, 

 such as in the Pelecanidce. 



A lengthened dissertation on Colour, as an oological cha- 

 racter, succeeds, in accordance with our author's plan. Its value 

 is not to be underrated, though perhaps too much importance 



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