File:A handbook to the case arranged as an introduction to the study of birds' eggs (1905) (14563608877).jpg

Identifier: handbooktocasear00horn (find matches)
Title: A handbook to the case arranged as an introduction to the study of birds' eggs
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: Horniman Museum London County Council
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: (London : London County council
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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Text Appearing Before Image:
pect from white and stone colourto green and blue. PROTECTIVE COLOURING OF EGGS. It is difiicult to account for the colouring of the eggs of manybirds, but in those instances in which the eggs are laid in open andexposed situations the colouring is undoubtedly protective. Theeggs of many birds that lay in holes and dark places are white.On the other hand, the eggs of pigeons, some of which build veryopen and exposed nests, are also white, The Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutiis) and Grouse (Lagopus scoticus)frequent heath-covered mountains and moors. The nest is a slighthollow lined with a little grass, heather, and a few feathers. Theeggs are coloured in harmony with the surroundings. The Kentish plover (jEgialitis cantiana) and Ringed plover(^Egialitis hiaticola) are examples of coast birds, which lay theireggs in slight hollows in the sandy shingle. The colouring of theeggs renders them most difficult to distinguish among the surround-ing stones and pebbles. ir. PROTECTIVE COLOURING OF EGGS.
Text Appearing After Image:
1. Ptarmigan. 2. Kentish plover. 3. Ringed plover.4 & 5. Little tern. 5 The eggs of Terns, Plovers, and other birds which nest on bareground, especially eaiad and shingle, are good examples of eggswhich are blotched with half-tones as well as with more conspicu-ously coloured markings. The effect of these half-tones is todissolve or break up the outline of the eggs and so to render themless conspicuous. The eggs of the Nightjar (Caprimulgus europceus) are laid on thebare ground, and form another good example of eggs with protectivehalf-tones. A clutch of these eggs is shown in the next series. The Coot (Fulica atra) is an inland water bird inhabiting reed-grown lakes. The nest is large and built of rushes and reeds. Theeggs are the colour of the dead reeds among which they are laid.Examples of these and many other birds may be seen in the birdgallery at tbe British Museum, where they are mounted with tlieirnests and eggs in their natural surroundings. CLUTCHES. A set of eggs found

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