THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 277
bird which in each case sat on the single egg, neither possessing
a yolk. Four sets of eggs of the Jackdaw exhibit the mud-
daubing habits of this species. The collector states that three
eggs, Barnston Lodge, 1.5.36, are the most heavily daubed he
had ever seen and with the filthiest mud. This mud-daubing
is now recognised as a habit of the Jackdaw and has been re-
corded from widely separated parts of this country and it has
also been observed on the Continent. The theory has been
advanced that the eggs were so coated for the purpose of con-
cealment as they were placed in such a position that they might
be seen from the outside. Although this may be a feasible
explanation it must be added that mud-daubed eggs have been
found in completely concealed situations.
Professor Newton while writing on eggs expresses the view
that hardly any branch of the practical study of natural history
brings the student so closely into touch with many of its mysteries.
There may be differences of opinion as to how far this is true
but a study of the collection, which has just been added to our
Museum, will demonstrate that eggs present many opportunities
for the philosophical mind. Suitable thanks have been conveyed
officially to Mr. Owen for his great gift, but this article would be
incomplete without a further expression of gratitude.
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB—REPORTS OF
MEETINGS.
766TH ORDINARY MEETING.
SATURDAY, 31ST OCTOBER, 1936.
This Meeting was held at 3 o'clock on the above afternoon in the
Physics Lecture Theatre of the Municipal College, Romford Road, Strat-
ford, with the President, Mr. John Ramsbottom, O.B.E., Sec.L.S., etc.,
in the chair. Only thirty-four members attended, the day being wretchedly
wet.
Sir Robert Armstrong-Jones, as Delegate from the Club, read his
Report on the Fourth Quinquennial Anglo-American Conference of His-
torians, which was held in London from July 6th to 11th, 1936. The
thanks of the Meeting were accorded to Sir Robert for a most interesting
account.
The present Meeting was devoted to short communications from
Members, there being no set paper.
Mr. Hugh Main exhibited various insects and described by means of
lantern-photographs the life-histories of most of them ; they included a