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COLOURATION OF BIRDS AND THEIR EGGS.
175
The Razorbill also lays its eggs on precipitous rocks, but they are placed under cover. Though the markings vary to some extent, the ground colour is generally white, sometimes brown. The Puffin's eggs are laid far down a hole, and they are pure white. When they are fresh and clean faint traces will be found of those bold markings which are so common on the eggs of the Alcidæ. Do not these suggest that long ago the Puffin laid coloured eggs in the open, after the manner of its cousin the Guillemot at the present day?
I hope that these remarks will draw out criticisms and observations from your readers, and that thus the difficulties of the subject may to some extent be cleared up.
