9242 , Birds. 
breed in company with the common ones. With great difficulty I pro- 
cured a large number of the eggs of Uria lacrymans, almost from 
under the birds themselves, and then, naturally enough, comforted my- 
self with the notion that, “species or no species,” their parentage at 
least was beyond all dispute; but a paper by the late Mr. Wolley 
(Zool. 3477) convinced me of my error. I was then led to confirm his 
views by means of careful observation, and soon became satisfied that 
when sea-birds nest together in large numbers they do not always keep 
to their own eggs. However, no matter what theories may be ad- 
vanced, the fact is plain, that as a rule the eggs of the two birds differ 
considerably, and this will at once be allowed by any ornithologist who 
will favour me by examining my collection. It will be seen that 
generally in the eggs of U.lacrymans the blotches are larger, the 
ground colour is clearer, there are fewer under tints, the markings are 
better defined and less prone to take the form of streaks; in size and 
shape, too, the egg is peculiar, being rather small, and shaped some- 
thing like that of the razorbill. Yet for all this, it cannot be denied 
that many specimens are so like those of U. troile in size, form and 
colour that to distinguish them is utterly impossible. Now, if a mere 
observer may offer an opinion in the matter, [ would confess my belief 
that U. lacrymans and U. troile represent one species in two states of 
plumage, nor does the difference among the eggs form any objection 
to the view, for it is well known that young birds as well as very old 
ones produce the smallest eggs, but at what precise age U. lacrymans 
acquires its peculiar plumage there is as yet no evidence to prove. One 
would imagine that in such a place as Shetland the problem might 
easily be solved by keeping the birds for some time in confinement. 
I have tried the experiment, but they have invariably died. However, 
it is my intention this year to have a number of birds kept by different 
people who can be depended upon to keep them with care, and should 
this plan also fail it will only. remain for me to endeavour once more 
to discover the cause of failure and “ try again.” 
Turnstone.—A few turnstones are stil] remaining with us, but they 
show no signs of breeding here; I have usually met with them in pairs 
at this season, and once, in the middle of June, I shot a female con- 
taining a nearly perfect egg. Very suspicious-looking so-called ‘snipes’ 
eggs have sometimes been brought to me from localities frequented by 
the turnstone. 
Herring Gull.—Herring gulls are breeding in immense numbers in 
most of the cliffs; Among the many strange varieties of the egg 
obtained by me this year 1 have one no larger than that of a pigeon, but 
