| Abstract: | We derive an equation for calculating the clutch sizes of birds and other long-lived animals from Murray's (1979) theory on the evolution of clutch size. For the Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) in Indiana, this equation predicts an average clutch size of 3.49, less than half an egg smaller than the recorded average clutch size of 3.89. We attribute the discrepancy to sampling error and suggest that the equation satisfactorily identifies the important factors affecting the evolution of clutch size. The success of the equation in predicting clutch size of the Prairie Warbler provides additional support for Murray's theory on the evolution of clutch size. |
