CHAPTER, XIX. 
WHAT MEAN THE MARKINGS AND SHAPES OF BIRDS’ 
EGGS ? 
However varied and beautiful the markings of 
birds’ eggs are now, we can not help feeling that 
either at present or in the past these spots, streaks, 
ete., and their colors, have some reference to use or 
purpose. The most plausible view is that these were 
for protection. Such eggs as best mimicked the 
place where they were deposited would most likely 
escape detection by egg-eating enemies, and the 
chicks hatched from these would most lkely lay 
similarly marked eggs again. 
The earliest birds with highly marked eggs are the 
plover forms, whose eggs were chiefly deposited per- 
haps on the pebbly shore, and well harmonized with 
the various colors of small stones. Such are. still 
strikingly protected in this way. But among the 
higher birds there are now many instances of marked 
contrast between the color of the nest lining and that 
of the egg. At least one bird insists upon black roots 
to line her home with, while her eggs are conspicu- 
ously light-colored. 
Mr. Wallace, the great naturalist, revived an old 
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