302 



allied birds have similar eggs, but exceptions to this rule 



are very numerous. 



In certain cases there is evidenth' an adaptation of the 



colour of the egg to their natural surroundings, for purpose 



of concealment. 



Though the greater number of species of birds lay eggs, 



all of which are of tolerably uniform character, there are 



some cases in which the eggs of different individuals of one 



species are dissimilar, 

 (i). — Eggs at^l of onk uniform colour : 



Virginian Colin, Snowy Owl, Bee-eater, Grey Parrot, 



Spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Roller, White Stork, 



Black Stork, and Whooper Swan, white. 



Wild Duck, Grey Francolin, and Pheasant, brownish. 



Cetti Warbler, red brown. 



Pheasant-tailed Jacana, dirty dark brown. 



Nightingale, brown. 



Pied Flycatcher, white blue. 



Common Redstart, Indian Mynah, White-throated Jay, 



Thrush, Heron, and Glossy Ibis, blue. 

 [a). Clouded. Little Bustard, Black-tailed Godwit, Peregrine 



Falcon, Sparrow Hawk, and Sandwich Tern. 

 {b). Blotched. Razor-bill, Ptarmigan, and Red Grouse. 

 U). Speckled. Red-legged Partridge, Jay, and Carrion Crow. 

 {d). Spotted. Black-breasted Hemipode, Pratincole, Black- 

 throated Diver, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Golden 



Oriole, Indian Wren Warbler, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, 



Song Thrush, vSwift Tern, and Oyster Catcher. 

 (2). — Linear Markings : 



Red-shouldered Starling, Crow-Blackbird, Indian Jacana, 



and Guillemot. 

 (3). — ExAMpr^p:s OF Exceptions to genkrat. statement 



that birds which build in holes are mostly uncoloured. 



Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, and Jackdaw. 

 (4). — Similarity of eggs in a natural group of birds : 

 (a). — Icterine Warbler — Sykes Tree Warbler. 



Olivaceous Warbler— Western Olivaceous Warbler. 



Olive Tree Warbler— Melodious Warbler. 



