Abstract
Presented are regression equations of shell thickness and shell mass as a function of egg mass for non-passerine (n=3217) and passerine species (n=3929) taken from the tables ofSchonwetter. These regressions reveal many species of the order Galliformes that exhibit unusually thick shells and have a relative shell mass which can exceed 20% of their egg mass. Shell density (g/cm3) was calculated for all eggs and their frequency distribution plotted. Mean values for non-passerine and passerine eggs are 2.02 and 2.05 g/cm3, respectively. The breaking strength of eggs as related to shell thickness is discussed. The regressions of exoskeletal, endoskeletal, and eggshell mass on body or egg mass are all shown to have the same slope.
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