ULL, -LJL liJ^U 



5"6,Tfk 



The Collectors' ffoDthly. 



FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN NATURAL, HISTORY. 



Vol. i. Daniel sonvillk, Conn., Dfcember, 1S90. No. 2. 



To the Editor ofc Collectors' Monthly 



Sir:— I have just read with pleasure, 

 Fred G's article in the November number 

 df The Collectors' Monthly, on " Birds' 

 Nests and Eggs." 



I have often sought for some rule govern- 

 ing the coloring of birds eggs, and, although 

 Fred G's idea had occured to me as a pos- 

 sible solution, yet had never found one, as I 

 considered that one inadquate. I agree 

 with Fred G — as regards the nests, and 

 plumage of the birds, but cannot as regards 

 the coloring of the eggs. 



It is said that "The exception proves the 

 rule," but where there are so many except- 

 ions (?) to the statement that "birds breed- 

 ing in hoi es or dark places lay white eggs," 

 it seems to me to disaprove, rather than 

 prove it. Now he gives the eggs of Wood- 

 peckers, Kingfishers and Owls as ex- 

 examples of "eggs being white because in- 

 cubated in the dark," but the eggs of nearly 

 all Quail, Grouse, Partridges, Doves, Pig- 



CHAS. K. REED, 



262 Main Street, 



WORCESTER, - MASS. 



TAXIDERMIST 



and dealer in Naturalists' Supplies, Shells, Bird 

 Skins and Eggs- Manufacturer of the Finest Egg 

 Drills ever made, best of steel, engraved handle, 

 mckelplated. Embryo hooks and blow pipes the 

 same making a fine set,sent post-paid on receipt of 

 65c. Will allow good exchange for eggs in sets, 

 first class with full data. 



Send stamps for illustrated catalogue of Supplies 

 or price-list of Skins and Eggs. 



eons, Humming- Pirds and a large number 

 of Ply-Catchers and other small bird 

 pure white, or nearly so, although not " in 

 cubated in the dark." and as to "eggs that 

 are incubated in the dark are white.'-' how 

 about Blue-birds, Chickadees, Wrens, Tit- 

 mice, Nuthatches. Creepers and the Cliff 

 •Swallow whose eggs are not whil 

 though laid in the dark. 



We also find that birds that ai 

 alike and nest in very much the sam< 

 ions, as the Grouse and Woodcock, lav en- 

 tirely differently colored eggs — the Grouse 

 eggs being white, while those of the V 

 cock are spotted. 



So we have some birds that nest in holes 

 laying white eggs, others, in the same po- 

 sition laying spotted or heavily colored 

 and the same is true of those birds that nest 

 out in the light. 



In view of the above facts, can we justly 

 assume that the color of an egg is duetto 

 the place in which it is laid ? 



K. B. \\ . 



LOOK! 



A large lot ol stuffed Woodcock, v 

 Hawks, Owls, F.agles, old and voun] 

 prey, Gull, Clapper Rail, Crow, Opossum. 

 Herons, Pucks and many small fancy oirds 

 to disposeof cheap. 



F. THEO. MILLE%, 



Heaibsville, Va. 



