COLOUR OF EGGS. 123 



perhaps the most variable of all *. Among some 

 hundreds which we have examined, we have seldom 

 found two alike, even from the same nest, some being 

 marked with large streaks and blotches, while others 

 were so finely mottled or rather marbled, that it re- 

 quired minute inspection to discover the markings, 

 as they appeared to be rather of a uniform grey. 

 The same diversity is observable in the shades of 

 these markings, some being of a very pale grey, 

 and others nearly black. The es;gs of the black- 

 cap (Sylvia atricapilld) again are usually stained 



Egg of Black-Cap. 



rather than blotched with either a deeper or a paler 

 flesh colour than that of the ground ; but in many 

 instances these stains are scarcely, if at all per- 

 ceptible f- 



We have elsewhere } adverted to the fanciful no- 

 tions which have been entertained respecting the final 

 cause of the various colours in the eggs of insects, the 

 common supposition being that they are adapted to 

 the purposes of concealment from their natural ene- 

 mies. The snake, says Dr. Darwin, the wild cat, and 

 the leopard, are so coloured as to resemble dark leaves 

 and their lighter interstices ; and birds resemble the 

 colour of the brown ground or the green hedges 

 which they frequent. M. Gloger, a German natu- 

 ralist, has followed up this fancy, as it respects the 

 eggs of birds, into some detail. He considers it to 

 be a remarkable provision of nature, that birds whose 

 nests are most exposed, and whose eggs are most 



* Journ. of a Nat. p. 222. t J. R. 



\ Insect Transformations; p, 33. 



