The Red Cloud chief., 1889-04-12
ABOUT BIRDS EGGS


A0OOJ 0oWOS' RUGS
Interesting Eaets ~Cssesrssse Thsis Cen
pesasSsa ssA FssosstoA.
Eggs are composed Of two principal
parts. termed. from their color. the
yelk or vitellus. and the white or Al
bumen. The latter does not exist In
the Ovarium or egg-bag: there. As We
may see in almost every fowl that
| comes 20 the table. is also . numerous
collection Of yelks Of various sizes.
When these are fully developed. they
drop. n by one. through . passage
termed the Oviduct into the uterus. in
which the egg is perfectly formed. hav.
Ing collected its albumen or white. and
its calcareous shell. and from which i;
Is ultimately expelled.
The very expeditions growth or pro-
ductiOn OF the white OF the shell is an
extraordinary exer,ion Of nature
very few hours only being sunicien, 10
produce il. The texture Of the shell is
admirably calculated for preserving
the contained parts. and for retaining
the heat that /, conveyed TO them by
incubation. Immediately under the
shell is the common m.mbran. which
lines the whole cavity Of the egg. ex-
cept at lis broad end. where there is u
small space filed with air. Within
this membrane. the white. which is said
to be OF two kinds. is contained; and
near lis centre. in an exquisitely fine
membrane. Is the yelx, which is sphcri-
cal. while the white is of the same
form As the she'll. Al each extremity
OF the yolk. corresponding with two
ends OF n egg. i, the chalaza. u white
firm body. consisting o! three bead-like
glObules. and il il at these points thai,
the several membranes are connected.
by which means. in whatever position
the egg may be placed. its various parts
are retained in their proper place.
Near the middle OF the yelk il a
small. Hat. circular body. named the
cicatricula. in which the rudiments Of
the future chick are contained; and
from these, in consequence of incuba-
ton. or from a certain degree ~ con-
tinued heat OF any kind. the bird Is ul.
timately Matched. In this process the
germinal membrane. as it is called. or
rudimental parts Of the chick. is OBJ
served to become separated into three
layers. from the external layer Of which
are formed subsequently the osseous
and muscular systems. and the brain.
spinal cord and nerves; while from the
middle and internal layers are formed
respectively the heart and blood yes
sells. and the intestinal canal and its
appendages. The yelk and white Of
the egg graduallvbecomc thinner. sup
plying the growing chick with nourish.
ment. which. increasing in magnitude.
ut length bursts its cell and come,
forth. still retaining in its intestines n
portion Of the yelk to serve for its sup
port until its powers are sufficiently
vigorous to enable il 70 digest extranc-
us food.
1t is q remarkable fact. that thos.
birds. the nests Of which are mos, I'M
covered. and the eggs Of which are
most exposed to the sight Of their one
mics. lay them Of n color IA little diff
ferent as possible from surrounding
objects. 50 as to deceive the eyes Of de-
structive animals; whilst. on the con-
trary. those birds. the eggs vi which
are 81 n deep and vivid color. and con-
sequently very liable to strike the eve,
either hide their nests in hollow trees.
Or elsewhere. or do not quit their eggs
except at night. OF m their in
cubatiOn Immediately after laying. 1t
must, moreover, be- remarked. that in
those species. the nests Of which are
exposed. il the females alone sit on the
eggs without being relieved by the male.
these females have generally different
color from that Of the male. and more
in unison with neighbOring objects.
Pure white. the most treacherous OF
cOlOrs. We find to be- the color Of tn.
eggs Of birds which build in holes, n.
the wOOdpeckers. the kingfishers. tn.
swifts. the dock and water swallows.
and others: also Of those birds. as tho
titmice and wrens. which construct
their nests with openings 50 small that
their enemies can not s..e into them.
Moreover. We find eggs white In bird.
which do not quit their nests. except
at night. As the owls: or for a very
short time during the day. as the fal.
cons. Finally, this color Is found In
those which lay only one or :wo eggs.
and which Immediately begin 70 sit. ~
the pigeons. etc.
The clear green or blue color is
proper 10 the eggs Of many species
which build in holes. M the s,arlings.
the ay-catchcrs. etc; il is also common
10 the eggs OF birds the nests of which
are constructed OF green moss. or si,r,.
ated in the midst Of grass. but always
we'll hidden. Green eggs. too arr found
with many powerful birds able to de-
fend them. rs the herons.
A faint green color. approaching 10
n yellowish tint. is observed in the
eggs Of birds. ~ the partridge. and
phcasanfs. which lay in the grass. with
put preparing a regular nest The same
color Is remarked in those which cover
their nests when they leave them. a.
the swans and the duckA-N. 7. Led
ger.
SUNSET IN WINTER.
Ia NossA>se s-sss TNss WssuA Ne Q