EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



Ill order to lessen the likelihood of confusion, and to render the work of identi- 

 fication easier, attention is drawn to the following notes : — 



(1) In order to correctly estimate the actual size of the birds and eggs it must 



be understood that (i natural size) means | the true length and i the 

 true breadth. 



(2) Birds' eggs vary considerably in colouration ; therefore neither a verbal 



description nor a coloured representation is likely to hold good in 

 every case. The fresh unblown egg is always richer in shades of pink, 

 grey, or green than is a blown egg shell, which is sure to fade in course 

 of time. The most striking instances of this are found in the eggs of 

 the Murray Magpie, Pipit, and Reed- Warbler respectively, the eggs of 

 the last-named bird appearing distinctly greyish-green when fresh. 



The printed descriptions are of blown eggs in a collection, while 

 the pictorial representations are slightly strengthened in colour in 

 order to represent more nearly the appearance of the eggs when seen 

 in the nest. 



