16 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI I 
shape. Physical characteristics cause some birds to produce eggs differing from 
the average eggs of their species to such an extent that distinguishing peculiarities 
can easily be traced thru set after set for a number of years. 
Speckled eggs of a species normally laying unmarkt eggs are of less frequent 
occurrence than are immaculate examples of those which commonly lay spotted or 
markt specimens. Of the former, I once examined a set of three pipt eggs of the 
Western Blue Grosbeak that were sprinkled with freckle-like specks of yellowish- 
brown and obscure blotches of lilac. Another time, I found a Robin’s egg that was 
well spotted with olive-brown, chiefly around the large end. This, and the following 
remarkable instances, occurred in New York State. 
Eig. 8 . ONE RUNT EGG IN EACH SET: NO. 1, LONG-TAILED CHAT: NO. 2, RUSSET-BACKT 
Thrush: no. 3, American eared grebe; no. 4, house finch 
One August day, as I approacht a large tree having long, drooping branches, 
I was startled by an American Goldfinch flying near my face. On looking up, a 
typical nest of this species was seen within reach of my hand. It contained sever- 
al young birds and one well-spotted egg, the shell of this egg being dented and the 
partially formed embryo dried up. The next year a set of four spotted eggs were 
found in a nearby tree by a friend of mine. These were taken by him, and were 
unfortunately destroyed by a playful dog on reaching home. I was agreeably sur- 
prised later in the season, to find a handsome set of four spotted eggs of the 
Goldfinch on the original branch of the first tree. All nine eggs were rather uni- 
formly speckled with various shades of light reddish-brown. The shades of color, 
