32 Proceedings. 



cmsius), the Japanese Rose {Rosa riujosa), Crucianella stylosa, 

 from Persia, the Blue Satin-flower {Sisyrinchium Benmuliana), 

 the Alpine Rhododendron {R. ferrugineum), St. Bernard's 

 Lily [Anthericumplumosum), the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithoga- 

 lum umhellatam), Veronica saxatilis, Linnaa horealis, Diaiithus 

 superbus, five species of Campanula, Linum jiavimi, and the 

 American Bramble. 



Mr. Crosfield exhibited specimens of several of the plants 

 named therein. 



Mr. James B. Crosfield exhibited a series of white eggs. 

 The species shown were Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 

 Wryneck, Dipper, Martin, Sand Martin, Ring Dove, Stock 

 Dove, Tm-tle Dove, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl, 

 Golden Eagle (one egg almost white). Grey Lag Goose, 

 Shag, Cormorant, and Gannet. He remarked that birds 

 which lay white eggs usually breed in holes. He supposed 

 that white was the primitive colour of eggs, and that other 

 colours were acquired for protection ; or else that birds 

 laying white eggs acquired the habit of resorting to holes for 

 protection, white eggs being the most conspicuous, and there- 

 fore most in danger of being destroyed by enemies. Grebes, 

 which lay white eggs, have adopted the habit of covering their 

 eggs up when they leave the nest. It is manifest that many 

 eggs have protective colouring, such as those of Terns, which 

 lay on shingle, and Red Grouse, Golden Plover, and Sand- 

 pipers, which lay in very slight nests on moors. Sea-birds 

 which congregate in vast numbers at their breeding-stations 

 are liable to various attacks from enemies, but a suSicient 

 proportion escape to keep the species alive. Many Geese breed 

 far to the northward in the Arctic regions, where they are 

 free from the attacks of many foes; but the Grey Lag Goose, 

 which lays its white eggs in open nests in Sutherland, is 

 subject to the attacks of Hooded Crows and other enemies, 

 and is in fact becoming a very scarce bird, and is in danger 

 of extinction as a British species. 



