7G A rAl'KlC OS EGG!<, 



on the apex ; as for example, some eggs of Tardus merula, Una 

 troile, Phalarope, Snipes, and Merlin. See Plate I., figs. 2, 4. 



Others, more or less flattened at the large end, present a dis- 

 tinct circular space at the apex, more or less, sometimes entirely, 

 free from marks, and surrounded by a ring, varying in width, 

 of blotches or spots, separate or run together, as if the apex had 

 passed for a short way quietly tlu'ough the opposing contraction ; 

 and that then the vis a tergo suddenly forcing a wider part of the 

 egg onward into the opening had caused it to rupture vessels all 

 round, the blood from which had been deposited in the form of a cir- 

 cle of spots or blotches, which become gradually less in size, dis- 

 tinctness, and coloui", as they are traced in the direction of the small 

 end. Examples of such a ring exist on eggs of the Sparrow Hawk, 

 the Shrikes, some Sedge Warblers, the Golden-crested "Wren, Lai'ks, 

 the Hawfincli, Swallows, Tetraonidce^ Scolojyacidm, Cliaradnidce, 

 Laridir, andAlcida. See PL I., figs. 1, 3, 5 ; and PI. II., fig. 2. 



On some eggs there are two such lings, as on those of some 

 Zaniidce Fringillidce and Alcidcc. See Plate III., fig. 2. 



On others, as on those of some Guillemots, three such rings 

 may occasionally be found, more or less distinct, one at tlie large 

 end, another at the middle or near to it, and the tliird at the 

 small end of the g^^. See Plate III., fig. 1. 



These rings appear to indicate the occurrence of as many for- 

 cible efforts of the muscular wall of the o\'iduct to overcome ob- 

 structions to the passage of the egg, causing as many effusions of 

 blood upon the sliell. Tlie spaces between these rings are cither 

 clear of marks or much less spotted than tlie lings. 



Tliese coloured rings or zones, often of great beauty, appear 

 to liave a certain regulaiity, as before stated, but if they are 

 carefully examined they are found not to be the some as to num- 

 Ijir of spots, fomi, or position on eveiy egg; there is only a 

 general resemblance. They are not so regular as they might 

 have been expected to be had they been the result of the secre- 

 tion of colour-foniiing glands, and they are much more easily 

 and naturally accounted for by the lij'pothcsis of their arising 

 from simultaneous efi'usions of blood all round in the oviduct as 

 the egg was passing through the " uterus." 



