The growth of an egg after impregnation is exceedingly rapid; the yolk only is formed in the _ovarium_, where it remains till within twenty-four hours of its being produced; when that part is fully matured, it separates and falls down the _oviduct_ into the _uterus_, where the egg is perfectly formed; first, the _vitellus_ or yolk is surrounded by the _albumen_ or white; and lastly is covered with a calcareous shell. The very expeditious growth of these last appear to be an extraordinary exertion of nature. The calcareous covering of an egg is concreted and formed in a most expeditious manner; a few hours only seem necessary for this work. Only one _vitellus_ separates from the _ovarium_ at a time, (except as we shall hereafter mention,) till the exclusion of which no other succeeds. But this is a daily production, with few exceptions, there is no more time allowed for perfecting the _albumen_ and shell than twenty-four hours. _Colours of Eggs._—It was a notion of Darwin’s that the variety in the colours of eggs, as well as in the colours of many animals, is adapted to the purposes of concealment from their natural enemies. Thus, he remarks, that the eggs of the hedge-chanter (_Accentor modularis_) are greenish blue, as are those of magpies and crows, which are seen from beneath in wicker nests, between the eye and the blue of the firmament. M. Glöger, a German naturalist, has followed up this singular theory into some detail, and considers it to be a remarkable provision of nature, that birds whose nests are most exposed, and whose eggs are most open to the view of their enemies, lay eggs of which the colour is the least distinguishable from that of surrounding objects, so as to deceive the eye of birds, or other plundering animals; while birds, the eggs of which have a bright decided colour, and are consequently very conspicuous, either conceal their nests in hollows, or only quit their eggs during the night, or begin to sit immediately. It is also to be remarked that in the species of which the nest is open, and the female brings up the brood without the assistance of the male, these females are generally of a different colour from the male, less conspicuous, and more in harmony with the objects around. * * * * * _Eggs of Game._—Taking or wilfully destroying the eggs of game, subjects the offender to the following penalties for each egg:— Pheasant, partridge, swan £1 0 0 Any wild-fowl, crane, bustard (and one year’s imprisonment for the offence) 0 1 8 Bittern, heron, shoveller 0 0 8 _Rennie_—_Montagu_, _&c._ EGRET (_Ardea garzetta_, LINN.; _Egretta_, BUFF.), _s._ A fowl of the heron kind. [Illustration]