PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 
149 
fore, the time of the extinction of a species simply resolves 
itself into a sum of the rule of three. It is well known that 
as often as eggs are taken the parent will continue laying 
until her strength is exhausted, so strong is her maternal 
desire and innate impulse to perpetuate her race. 
Those species which benefit man by the destruction of 
insect life and are of some importance in the economy of 
Nature mostly migrate to our shores for the purpose of 
rearing their progeny, and as young birds should be hatched 
simultaneously with the supply of caterpillars and other 
larvte to sustain them, it is obvious if the first lots of eggs 
are taken the time of hatching is delayed—if it takes place 
at all—and the outcome is that insect life obtains the chance 
of multiplying abnormally. Moreover, it is absolutely neces¬ 
sary that the young should be hatched at the appointed time 
to enable them to get full grown and sufficiently robust to 
withstand the perils of a long sea flight to their winter 
quarters. The like remarks, of course, apply to those species 
that winter here, and it is quite as desirable that they should 
have protection extended to them in their far-off homes like¬ 
wise, to enable a strong contingent to migrate here, after 
their breeding season is over. 
I fear that to an unusual number of eggs being taken 
in Norway and Sweden we must attribute the diminished 
numbers of Fieldfares and Kedwings of late years. Of course, 
in a thinly-populated country birds have a much better 
opportunity of escaping molestation than in one so densely 
crowded as ours, but the increased facilities for travel, and the 
“Briton’s” propensity for bringing back some trophy of his ex¬ 
cursion, has somewhat equalised the apparent advantages for¬ 
merly enjoyed in those countries where Nature reigned supreme. 
I think I have clearly demonstrated that it is important 
that eggs should have the same protection afforded them as 
the birds themselves ; an egg to appearance is dead, but it 
contains the elements of a future life, which lies dormant 
until stimulated to action and growth by the application of 
the proper degree of warmth, which quickly produces evidence 
of existing life ; and, if I may be allowed such an expression, 
I might say eggs are simply birds held in suspense. 
If I have made out a case I ask those members who may 
have the leisure and opportunity to take notes during the 
coming season, and judge whether I am right in advocating 
the protection of eggs; if so, then what more fitting duty 
could a Natural History Society perform than in urging upon 
those who are in a position to further such an alteration in 
the law as would tend to save from final extermination, or at 
