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THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



more frequently of a greenish color, sometimes approaching 

 to blue. If they are speckled, some shade of blue or green 

 forms the groundwork. The eggs of the duck are of a 

 greenish white, to harmonize with the hues of the water's 

 surface, near which, on the lake shore, they are frequently 

 deposited. The eggs of the ostrich, which are laid on the 

 bare sands of the desert, are of a brownish color^ with specks 

 a shade darker, producing on their smooth surface the effect 

 of light and shade among the grains of sand. 



Domestication destroys the original instincts of animals to 

 a certain extent, and renders birds partially indifferent to 

 colors. It likewise changes their plumage as well as their 

 instincts. Just in proportion, tlierefore, as any species of 

 birds has become domesticated, it is unsafe to depend on the 

 correctness of these observations respecting their instincts 

 with reference to colors. All the species of the gallinaceous 

 birds, except the common hen, lay speckled eggs. It is 

 probable that, during the thousands of ages since the latter 

 was domesticated, her eggs have lost their original marking, 

 and have become white. Equal change has happened to 

 their plumage, which is of almost all colors, while that of the 

 more recently domesticated species for the most part retains 

 its original marks. When any species of birds has become 

 domesticated, they no longer require to be protected by the 

 hues of their plumage. Their natural predisposition, there- 

 fore, to be marked only by certain combinations of colors, 

 becomes weakened in proportion to the length of time they 

 have continued in a domesticated state. Being in this state 

 entirely at the mercy of mankind, one color would answer 

 for their protection no better than another. 



Ulassncjjusctts IJortitulturnl Sodctij. 



Saturday, Aug. 18lh, 1855. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was 

 held to-day — the President in the chair. 



A Committee was appointed to consider the expediency of establishing 



