78 A PAPER ON EGGS, 



There are other peculiarities of the markings of many eggs 

 which deserve notice, and which seem to point out the direction 

 in wliicli the eggs exhibiting them have passed down the lower 

 part of the oviduct. For instance, the spots, which, as already 

 stated, are most numerous and largest at the blunt end, are also 

 largest, darkest, and best defined at that part of their outline 

 which lies nearest to this end ; whilst in the opposite direction 

 these spots are prolonged, more irregular, tapering, and fainter 

 in colour, and often seem as if, whilst still wet, they had been 

 rubbed or wiped in the direction from the large to the small end. 

 For example, on some eggs of the Kavcn, Great Bustard, Crane, 

 certain CharadriidcE, Scolopacidce, and Laridce: or there are irre- 

 gular longitudinal rows of spots which grow smaller and fainter 

 as we trace them fi'om the large to the small end, as on some 

 eggs of the Egyptian Vulture, Common Buzzard, TNTiimbrel, and 

 other Scolopacid(E, Alcidce, and Zarida. Plate lY., fig. 1. 



These peculiarities also serve to show that the above eggs must 

 have been laid the large end presenting first, and forcing the 

 passage. 



Moreover, though these marks commonly extend in a straight 

 direction from the large to the small end, many examples may be 

 adduced in which they take an oblique direction ; and when the 

 egg is held with the small end towards the eye, this obliquity is 

 most commonly from riglit to left, and from the large to the small 

 end, showing that tlie egg must have been revolved on its axis from 

 left to riglit tlirough about a quarter of a circle. Examples of such 

 oblique markings in streaks and blotclics are beautifully seen on 

 eggs of Aqutla fulva, Jfihus regaUa, Accipiter nisus, also on those 

 of Trhigm, Totani, Charadriidw, and Sterna. See PL IV., figs. 2, 3. 



An obliquity from left to right, has been observed, but much 

 less frequently and distinctly than that from right to left; it 

 may be seen on some eggs of the Gulls and Guillemots, and in 

 Plate I., fig. 1. 



In the Common Hen, Hook, and Peewit, the oviduct has along 

 its whole length sliglitly raised spiral ridges passing downwanls 

 from left to right, the eye being directed from the upper to the 

 lower end of the duct ; and these, probably, to some extent, guide 



