Our  Canaries 
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from  thickening  of  the  delicate  membrane  covering  it.  If  the  inflammation 
had  been  severe  enough  it  might  lead  to  subsequent  atrophy  of  the  organ. 
Inflammation  of  the  upper  end  of  the  oviduct  might  close  the  opening  in 
it,  or  make  it  adhere  to  other  structures,  so  that  it  would  be  impossible 
for  the  ovule  when  fully  developed  to  get  into  the  duct.  If  occurring  lower 
down,  the  inflammatory  condition  might  kink  or  narrow  the  duct  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  quite  prevent  the  further  progress  of  the  egg." 
REASONABLE  HYPOTHESES. 
"  These  anatomical  grounds  are  hypothetical  at  present,  but  it  is  reason- 
able to  suppose  that  they  could  exist.  In  those  of  the  instances  dissected, 
Nos.  4,  9  and  10,  there  was  no  evidence  that  would  lead  to  the  conclusion  that 
there  had  been  any  inflammation.  The  ovaries  in  each  case  were  present.  The 
ovary  of  No.  4  in  comparison  to  that  of  a  healthy  strong  untried  Border  hen 
of  the  same  age  was  a  little  smaller  and  more  compact,  that  is  to  say,  that  this 
particular  bird  has  not  apparently  advanced  so  far  sexually  as  the  Border. 
"  That  of  the  Crest-bred  hen.  No.  9,  comparing  the  size  of  the  bird  to  that 
of  the  Border,  was  not  as  large  as  would  have  been  expected,  but  otherwise  was 
natural  in  appearance. 
THE  PROPER  SEQUENCE. 
"  The  Reproductive  Cycle  mentioned  above  is  worthy  of  fuller  consideration 
and  elucidation.  The  various  stages  of  it,  namely,  the  building  of  the  nest,  laying 
eggs  in  it,  incubation  of  the  eggs,  the  hatching,  feeding,  and  rearing  of  the 
young,  should  naturally  be  consecutive  and  properly  related.  It  is  obviously 
out  of  order  for  the  eggs  to  precede  the  nest.  When  the  ovules  in  the  ovary 
are  approaching  maturity  from  any  or  a  combination  of  the  various  causes 
suggested,  an  instinct  impels  the  hen  to  select  a  place  in  which  to  build  a  nest 
for  the  reception  of  the  completed  eggs.  The  nest  should  be  ready  by  the  time 
the  first  egg  is  laid,  but  its  completion  can  be  delayed  from  a  variety  of  causes, 
or  it  can  be  absent,  the  only  evidence  of  its  intention  being  a  few  strands  of 
material  with  no  appearance  of  shape  or  order." 
AN  INTERRUPTED  CYCLE. 
"  Supposing  the  hen  to  have  the  desire  to  reproduce,  and  the  ovules  are 
not  matured  enough  to  stir  up  to  a  proper  extent  the  instinct  to  build,  it  is 
probable  that  half-hearted  attempts  only  will  be  made,  and  though  the  cycle  is 
started,  the  due  completion  of  one  stage  fails  from  insufficient  stimulus  from 
a  deficient  preceding  stage.  The  eggs  laid,  or  at  least  some  of  them,  there 
is  a  consecutive  impulse  to  incubate  them,  and  it  appears  probable  that 
the  number  in  the  clutch  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  onset  of  incubation.  In 
some  cases,  no  doubt,  the  impulses  to  make  the  stages  of  the  cycle 
continuous  are  so  strong  that  as  soon  as  the  nest  is  completed  there  is  a 
