Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1914 — VERY QUEER EGGS. [ARTICLE]

VERY QUEER EGGS.

Ducks Hold Record for Laying the Oddest Ones. - "If The stories told by poultry-keep-ers in regard to the laying of eggs are in danger of becoming viewed by the public in the same suspicious light as the tall yarns of fishermen, says the Molassine World. It Ts announced that an egg laid by a hen belonging to a coaßt-guards officer at Bridgeport measured 7 % inches by 6 % inches, while another of similar size picked up in a farmyard at Fenny Stratford was, oh being opened, found to_ contain a perfectly formed second egg. The record monster chicken’s egg is believed to be one of 8 inches by 7 inches, and weighing 6 ounces. The moat freakish eggs are attributed to ducks. The Weston Park Museum, Sheffield, has a duck’s egg contains another smaller one inside, and a still greater curiosity is a twin egg, the two being joined together end to end. In a museum at Paris a curious fourfoQted goose fays an egg which is invariably misshapen, and the shell of which is so brittle that it. breaks if touched. All efforts to preserve these eggs have been futile. An egg apparently in a state of perfect preservation Is reported to have been discovered imbedded in the mortar of an ancient church near Paris. As the wall had been standing for fully 800 years, the egg must have ben undisturbed for all that long period.

Policeman's Badge Over His Heart. Many persons are puzzled to know why policemen wear their badges so low on their coats Instead of on the flap made for that purpose. As a matter of fact, the badge or star, as he calls It, of many a pol'ceman Is right next to his heart. Some of the bluecoats of this city can thank their “stars” for being alive. Thla little metal shield has deflected the bullet of burglar or highwayman and gt times, too, has stopped the knife thrust of would-be assassins. During the last twenty or thirty years there are many cases on record showing that the little badge has been a llfesaver Evenbullets fired at close range, as a rule cannot penetrate the shield. That’s why a bluecoat always feels safer In keeping the star at a vital spot. When off duty some policemen wear their stars on their vests, but always directly over the heart. They are so aeustomed to the little protector that they feel uneasy without it.—New York Son.