168 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THE COLORATION OF BRITISH BIRDS AND 

 THEIR EGGS. 



By W. Storrs Fox, M.A., F.Z.S. 



Some three years ago I made a rough table of the coloration 

 of British birds and their eggs. I did this for the benefit of a 

 local Naturalists' Club. Last year I had reason to revise this 

 table. As I do not know of the existence of anything on quite 

 similar lines, it has struck me that it may be of interest to some 

 of the readers of * The Zoologist.' 



In dealing with coloration it stands to reason that there 

 cannot be one law for birds found in the British Islands, and 

 another which applies to those inhabiting the rest of the world. 

 But, being more familiar with our own birds, I have drawn my 

 illustrations from them almost entirely. I believe that the 

 principles laid down in this paper are of universal application, 

 and that the interest attached to them will not be lessened by 

 the fact that the examples given are taken from a small group 

 of islands. 



The introduction to the second volume of Seebohm's ' British 

 Birds' consists of an account by Mr. Charles Dixon of the pro- 

 tective colour of eggs. The subject is there dealt with at some 

 length. Dr. A. R. Wallace, when treating of the coloration of 

 birds' eggs, refers to that "valuable work."* Mr. Dixon has 

 collected a number of very interesting facts, and everyone inter- 

 ested in the subject ought to read his account. 



It will be seen from the two following tables that certain 

 general principles govern the colours of both birds and their eggs. 

 There are, however, some very awkward exceptions to the rule. 

 Perhaps someone will throw light upon these difficulties. When 

 it is clear that eggs are usually protectively coloured, it is strange 

 that we ever should come across any which lack such protection. 



* ' Darwinism,' p. 214. 



