EGG-COLLECTORS OF AMERICA. 163 



of their eggs. Mr. Waterton informs us, that it 

 is believed among the rock-climbers on the coast 

 near Flamboro' Head, whose avocation is the col- 

 lection of the eggs of the guillemot and razor- 

 bill, that the former bird, when undisturbed, never 

 lays more than one egg. If this is taken away, 

 she will lay another ; and if she be plundered of 

 that, she will then produce a third ; and so on. 

 Audubon states a similar fact with regard to the 

 clapper-rail of America. In the Jerseys it forms 

 a regular occupation to collect the eggs of this 

 bird ; and it is not an uncommon occurrence for 

 an egger to carry home a hundred dozens in a 

 day. Audubon himself has collected seventy-two 

 dozens in a day. After the nest has been robbed, 

 in a few days, more eggs are deposited, though 

 not in the same nest. 



In all these cases it is evident that the natural 

 processes of the bird are interfered with. Although 

 it is undoubtedly true, that some birds can be 

 made to lay a larger number of eggs in the aggre- 

 gate than they would ordinarily do, this excep- 

 tion only goes to confirm the rule, and to impress 

 yet more strongly upon us the conviction, that 

 a fixed number is the ordinance of nature ; the 



