oology

Noun

oology (uncountable)

1. The study of birds' eggs.
   • Yet it is not difficult to see that Oölogy promises to become an important auxiliary both in aiding to determine natural divisions, and to enable us to decide in regard to varieties the specific identity of which is in doubt. Let us take an instance. [...] Without looking at all to the external...1857, Thomas M[ayo] Brewer, “Introduction”, in North American Oölogy (Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge; XI), part I (Raptores and Fissirostres), Washington, D.C.: Published by the Smithsonian...
   • Now here is just one of those cases, which bring the study of Oology, and very justly, into more discredit than any other thing. M. [Alfred] Moquin-Tandon's egg is very likely that of a Booted Eagle; but where is the proof of the fact? Absolutely, as we read it, there is none. [...] There are many...1858 December, “IX. Review of Mr. [C. R.] Brees ‘Birds of Europe Not Observed in the British Isles.’”, in Philip Lutley Sclater, editor, The Ibis, a Magazine of General Ornithology, volume I, number...

   Synonyms:

   ovology

2. The hobby or practice of collecting birds' eggs, especially those of wild birds.
   • Besides his life as a student, Han [Henri Jacob Victor Sody] continued to be interested in ornithology, particularly oology. Apparently, he was a diligent collector of birds' eggs, both in the vicinity of Wageningen, and on excursion for this purpose to other places (Breda, Texel, etc.), and...1989, J. H. Becking, “Biography”, in Henri Jacob Victor Sody (1892–1959): His Life and Work: A Biographical and Bibliographical Study, Leiden: E[vert] J[an] Brill, →ISBN, section c (Scientific...
   • In the late nineteenth century, there was a huge upsurge of interest in natural history collections by scientists and ordinary citizens. Victorian homes were commonly decorated with collections of stuffed birds, and oology, the study and collection of eggs blown clean of their contents, was all the...2010, Peter Capainolo, Carol A. Butler, “Raptor Reproduction”, in How Fast can a Falcon Dive?: Fascinating Answers to Questions about Birds of Prey (Animal Q&A), New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers...

   Synonyms:

   birdnesting, egging