GH. II.] DISPOSITION OF EGG-SHELLS. 167 



bation. But gradually he becomes deluded into 

 the belief that sitting upon the eggs is his proper 

 metier, and in a day or two not only returns to 

 them of his own accord, but performs all the other 

 duties of the situation in an exemplary manner, 

 hovering the young ones when hatched, and look- 

 ing after them with as much care as the true 

 mother could have done. 



If Partridges', Pheasants', or Grouse's nests 

 be examined, after the young birds have been 

 hatched, it will be found that the half egg-shells 

 which remain are very generally left together in 

 pairs, one being closely fitted into the other, as 

 cups are stowed away in a crockery shop. Ordi- 

 narily a small end is packed inside a large one, 

 but this is not always the case, as I have now and 

 then seen two large ends thus united. This oper- 

 ation is not performed by the parent bird, as is 

 proved by its occurrence when the eggs are 

 hatched in boxes so small that she could not pos- 

 sibly get at them to do it if she wished. How the 

 young birds manage it, or why it is done at all, 

 I cannot imagine. Of the fact it is easy for any 

 one to satisfy himself, as I have done. Though I 

 mention Grouse, Pheasants, and Partridges, as the 

 birds in whose nests I have particularly noticed 



