460 The Bird 



account for this latter condition on the hypothesis that an 

 actual change — an increase — is slowly taking place in the 

 number of eggs of this species, the abnormal shell reflect- 

 ing the as yet only partial readjustment of the pigment- 

 gland to meet the extra demand? 



The carbonate of lime, of which the shell is chiefly 

 composed, varies in its composition, being sometimes so 

 fine that the surface has a high gloss, the eggs of wood- 

 peckers being a good example, or again loose and chalky, 

 as in cormorants. In tinamous the glossiness is carried 

 to an extreme, their eggs resembling ovals of highly 

 burnished metal, green and purple in colour. 



The shells of ducks' eggs are impregnated with an oily 

 substance, which must be of great use in resisting the 

 dampness and moisture of their surroundings. 



The eggs of some entire Families of birds are easily 

 recognized by the resemblance of the grain of the shell; 

 while, on the other hand, this microscopic appearance in 

 the eggs of individual species may differ considerably, 

 as in the case of the eggs of the Mute and ^^^looping Swans. 

 The eggs of the North African Ostrich have a surface 

 smooth as ivory, while the eggs laid by the South African 

 birds are deeph' pitted. The beautiful eggs of the casso- 

 wary show an extreme condition, the light green surface 

 of the egg being covered with raised irregularities of a 

 darker green colour. 



The thickness of the shells of ostrich eggs is remarkable, 

 and their strength permits their use as water-bottles — an 

 invaluable boon to the Arabs of the desert. 



\Mth the relative size of the egg and the bird which 



