10 EGGS AND EGG-COLLECTING. 
rarely than other tints.” Yes, simply because they are 
generally a source of danger to the possessor. 
Three familiar instances of special modifications in the 
plumage of the female are to be found in the black grouse, 
pheasant, and blackbird, all nidificating in situations more 
or less fraught with danger. Remarkable again is the fact 
that where the female is more conspicuously marked than the 
male the latter takes upon himself the duties of incubation 
entirely, or renders a great deal of aid, which is strong proof 
that dull subdued colours have been adopted for the preser- 
vation of the young in their several stages of helplessness. 
Protective Construction of Nests.—It is sur- 
prising again to find Darwin, in arguing that few British 
birds build covered nests to protect: themselves against 
the conspicuousness of their own colours, citing the 
Dipper as an instance of this. But what about the white 
breast of this bird, which marks it out at long distances 
against the dark rock or water? Again, her pure white 
eggs are manifestly a source of danger, more conspicuous 
even than the bird. It must not be supposed I overlook 
another important feature in the covered nest of this bird, 
which is, however, subservient to the bird’s desire to hide her 
white plumage and eggs, which renders it equally preserva- 
tive in character. The bird generally builds near a water- 
fall, often quite behind, undoubtedly for the safety this 
situation affords, and she is not only obliged to construct a 
covered nest, but one which must keep out the constant 
dripping of water percolating through fissures in the rock. 
The construction of this nest even cuts off the chance of a 
stray splash of water finding its way to the eggs or young 
during the parent bird’s absence, by the peculiarly ingenious 
entrance she makes to her little home. 
