39 [Vol. xlii. 



Little Auk {Allealle). Nine typical eggs from Spits- 

 bergen and Davis Straits. Unlike the eggs o£ F. arctica 

 the markings (i£ any) are wholly superficial— a characteristic 

 o£ these eggs. Some have distinct blotches, others were 

 vein-marked at the large end. 



Mr. BuNYAED also exliibited a series o£ 42 eggs o£ 

 the Puffin (Fratercula arctica), and made the following- 

 remarks : — 



In nearly all collections I find the eggs of this species 

 badly represented, generally by two or three very indifferent 

 specimens almost unmarked, or by a few eggs specially 

 selected for their markings, neither of which convey any 

 idea as to the great variation through which they run. For 

 beauty and delicacy of coloration there are few eggs to 

 equal them ; the ground-colour varies considerably, showing- 

 white, ochraceous, buff, cream, greyish-white, white tinged 

 with mauve, and pale pink; this last shade unfortunately is 

 not fast and soon fades away. 



Tlie colour of the superficial markings varies from 

 brownish-black to. palest brown; the underlying markings 

 are various shades of grey, sometimes distinctly tinged 

 with mauve, according to the depth at which they lie. 



A very pronounced variation is found in the form and 

 arrangement of the markings, the spotted and blotched eggs 

 predominating. Some are heavily vein-marked forming 

 zones at or near the broader half; these are sometimes 

 interspersed with small spots. The zones are invariably 

 composed of very short vein-marks ; others have short vein- 

 markings evenly distributed over the whole surface. 



There is very little variation in shape, broad-pointed ovals 

 predominating. I find, however, that those I took in the 

 Faroes (of which I exhibit foui-) are very distinctive. They 

 are longer and narrower, as the following measurements 

 prove— 66-3 X 41-7 mm., 63-2 x 40 mm., 64 x 41 mm., 63*2 x 

 42 mm. ; average 10 Brit, eggs 61-4 X 43'2 mm. (Bunyard's). 

 The markings in every case are evenly distributed — this and 

 the shape appear to be constant. 



