Thursday, January 30, 2014

Antique Eggs

 These beautiful (blown) eggs were a gift from my niece Amelia.

She told me she got them at an antique shop and was told they were Brown-headed Cowbird eggs.

For the most part, selling eggs and feathers of wild birds is prohibited but  this may not apply to antiques. Also, the Cowbird is a bit of a thug ( see HERE), thoroughly despised by most bird lovers. It may not be protected.

No matter -- the eggs are beautiful.. 


12 comments:

Ms. A said...

Antique eggs? Well I never!

Folkways Note Book said...

I did not know that wild bird eggs were protected. Tell any 10 year old who has his hand in a nest and you might get one thrown at you. Nature appreciation should be taught in schools on a regular basis. Good post -- barbara

Barbara Rogers said...

Goodness, this makes me think that I need to start figuring out where to hang my new felted birdhouse.

Merisi said...

Beautiful eggs, interesting that they survived long enough to be declared antiques!

The lowly cowbird is easy to blame, while man's stewardship of land and nature often conveniently escapes examination:
Scientists suggest that cowbird control is a short-term solution that ignores the real problem of habitat degradation as a result of agriculture, grazing and development. (Link lead to Audobon Society's homepage about Cowbird research)

Vicki Lane said...

Interesting link, Merisi. I, myself, don't dislike an animal for behavior that is instinctive. We see cowbirds here at times and I think they're rather handsome.

I'm also fond of blacksnakes and blue jays and crows -- all of which are predators of baby birds.

Nature, red in tooth and claw (and beak.)

Vicki Lane said...

Just had an email from a friend to tell me the cowbirds are indeed protected and possession of eggs, feathers, birds (dead or alive) is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and that this post would pop up in any search engine.

Yikes! I've changed the title. But if you don't hear from me in the future, it'll because They've come after me...

katy gilmore said...

Well if They come - take your computer!

katy gilmore said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brian Miller said...

those eggs are so cool...the speckles make them so artistic....

Lise said...

Those are really something, I wonder what they would look like inside now...I've never heard of antique eggs.

NCmountainwoman said...

By golly, there are enough of us to storm the place if they come for you. Just say the word and we're there.

Good thing the eggs are sealed inside the jar. Otherwise the kittens might be very interested.

Vicki Lane said...

I am grinning happily at the thought of you all storming the place as the
US Fish and Wlldlife Service attempts to drag me away...