The palatability of the eggs of birds: mainly based upon observations of an Egg Panel

Abstract

The paper contains the results of an investigation of the relative palatability of the eggs of 212 species of birds, belonging to twenty‐five orders, as determined by members of an Egg Panel, Low Temperature Research Station, Cambridge, during the years 1946 to 1951. The method of assessment has been generally similar to that hitherto used in the routine examination of fowls' eggs. Each sample, identified by a number but not named, and tested in the form of a scramble, is awarded a numerical score for general palatability, on a scale ranging from 10.0 (ideal) to 2.0 (inedible). Evidence is given of the reliability of the results obtained. Observations on the several samples also include qualitative evaluation of flavours, descriptions of texture, and measurements of the colour both of the fresh yolk and of the scramble, together with data relating to shell‐coloration, egg sizes and weights. Also included in the survey are accessory reports on egg‐palatability, obtained from both scattered published sources and from replies by correspondents. Thus an attempt has been made to collect in a single paper what is known of an aspect of ornithology that has not before received systematic investigation.

Differential predation by mammals and birds: implications for egg-colour polymorphism in a nomadic breeding seabird

“…If greenish eggs are unpalatable they should be avoided over palatable eggs when these are abundant, unpalatable prey may be consumed when the predator is hungry (Dumbacher & Pruett-Jones, 1996). This possibility remains untested, but it is in agreement with the hypothesis that the conspicuousness of eggs may be negatively correlated with their palatability, as Cott suggested after studying the preferences of cats, ferrets, mongooses, hedgehogs, rats and humans, used as tasters (Cott, 1954 and papers cited therein). Conversely, we found that the rate of artificial nest predation by visual searching gulls was higher for eggs more conspicuous to the human eye that for eggs apparently resembling the nest substrate.…”

“…Other egg traits may also be important determinants of survival from predation. For example, odour or palatability of eggs (Cott, 1948(Cott, , 1954) may offer contrasting advantages against avian vs. mammalian predators due to differences in the sensorial capabilities of these hunters.…”

Poisonous birds: A timely review

“…The more recent reviews on bird toxicity do not include unpalatable or malodorous birds in their classification of poisonous birds (Bartram and Boland, 2001;Mebs, 2002). There is, however, an extensive body of evidence on this subject, chiefly from experimental work carried out by Cott (Cott, 1945(Cott, , 1946(Cott, , 1948(Cott, , 1954Cott and Benson, 1970), and by surveying field and museum ornithologists (Weldon and Rappole, 1997).…”