﻿xvi Proceedings. {November 15th, 1904. 



enemies, and it is consequently a declining species as far as this 

 country is concerned. 



The Oyster Catcher is another bird that always attracts our 

 attention on the sea shore, and its eggs are very difficult to 

 discover, as they resemble the colour of the ground on which 

 they are deposited. I have noted in connection with this 

 species that its eggs are often of a dark and a light variety, and I 

 may mention that on more than one occasion the dark ones 

 have been deposited on the darker mud of the marsh, whereas 

 the lighter eggs have been deposited on the sand which they 

 very closely resemble. 



The Ring Plover^ another familiar shore bird, also deposits 

 its eggs amongst the sand or shingle, where, owing to their 

 resemblance to the site of the nest, they are very difficult to 

 find. 



The Oyster Catcher and Ring Plover must rely to a great 

 extent for protection on their watchfulness, as it is difficult to get 

 within gun-shot of them. 



Most birds laying white eggs deposit them in holes and 

 dark places, whilst dark coloured eggs are seldom, if ever, found 

 in such situations. The coloration of birds laying white eggs 

 is usually brilliant, whereas birds laying dark eggs are usually of 

 sober plumage. The Snipes and Plovers lay eggs resembling 

 the earth upon which they are deposited. The Snowy Owl and 

 frequently the Eagle Owl lay their white eggs on the ground ; 

 both are birds well able to protect themselves from danger, so 

 that there is no necessity for them to hide their eggs from view 

 as do nearly all other owls. 



In conclusion, I would point out that the prevailing 

 colouring matter on eggs is for the most part of brown in various 

 shades with a tendency to reddish, and a great many species 

 of eggs frequently show a red variety. In the case of the 

 Guillemot it is generally supposed that the birds, having had 

 few enemies, the coloration of the eggs is not subject to any 

 natural restraint and they have developed extraordinary 

 variations. 



