INTRODUCTION xiii 



its existence and use, for exhibition in the Central Hall of 

 the British Museum at South Kensington, where they are 

 now displayed. 



Volumes might be written on the wonderful changes that 

 take place during the development of the chicken within the 

 egg during incubation. The wonderful and perfect adapta- 

 tion of all the various parts and structures to the require- 

 ments of the young birds may serve to remind the observer 

 of the words of the old poet Leigh Hunt, that "there is 

 but a slight difference between the right study of orni- 

 thology and orni-theology." 



W. B. TEGETMEIER. 



VOL. I. 



