69 [Vol. xxxiii. 



degenerate down-like feathers. A few minute feathers grow- 

 in the other bare regions, but, generally, the feather-papillse 

 of these regions remain inactive. 



" Unlike the birds in their first year there is now no 

 further moult until the following autumn. The down-like 

 growth on the chin and throat gradually becomes worn down 

 until in a few months the remains of it are scarcely visible 

 to the naked eye. With a glass, however, remains of this 

 down can be seen until the next autumn moult commences." 



Mr. Witherby also exhibited an adult specimen of the 

 Eastern Rook (Corvus f. pastinator) which showed a narrow 

 but distinct line bare of feathers down the middle of the 

 chin, and in the skin on this line there were " pins " similar 

 to those found in the typical Rook, suggesting that this bird 

 was in process of evolving a bare chin like that of Corvus f. 

 frugilegus. The fact that the typical Rook had a consider- 

 able growth of degenerate feathers on the chin and throat 

 at each moult and none on the forehead, seemed to show 

 that the bare chin was a later development than the bare 

 forehead. 



Mr. Norman H. Joy exhibited : 



(1) A clutch of eggs of the Robin (Erithacus rubecula 

 melophilus) taken at Bradfield, Berks, on the 18th of June, 

 1909. The ground-colour was of a very pronounced blue 

 and with traces only of reddish markings. 



(2) A mixed clutch : six very well-marked eggs of a 

 Great Tit (Parus major nevjtoni), and three eggs of a Redstart 

 (Phcenicurus phmnicurus) taken at Bucklebury, Berks, on 

 the 3rd of June, 1906, showing a beautiful contrast in 

 colour. 



A discussion followed in which several members took part, 

 and a large number of "mixed" clutches were recorded. 

 One of the most curious was that mentioned by Dr. Hartert, 

 who stated that in Germany he had found eggs of a Ural 

 Owl (Syrnium uralense) in the nest of a Common Buzzard 

 {Buteo buteo). 



