Mr. A. D. Bartlett on the Preservation of Birds' Eggs. 499 



This bird was one of two hatched about the latter end of May 



1857, and was reared by its parents in the gardens, where it remained 

 during the summer and autumn of that year. At the commence- 

 ment of the winter he was in the habit of flying about (not having 

 been pinioned), and occasionally staying away a day or two, then 

 for a week or more, returning again generally about feeding- time, 

 and alighting among the other gulls and feeding with them. This 

 continued till the end of March 1858, at which time he disappeared. 

 Nothing more was seen or heard of him until the middle of November 



1858, when, to the delight and astonishment of all who knew him, 

 he returned one afternoon at the usual time. Meeting the keeper with 

 the box of food, he followed him to the enclosure where he was 

 hatched, and settling down among the other gulls, took his dinner as 

 though he had never been away, not appearing the least shy or wild. 

 Here he remained with his parents and the other gulls, occasionally 

 flying off for a day or two, until the beginning of February 1859. 



He again departed and by many was given up for lost ; others, 

 however, thought he might again return. And on the morning of 

 Saturday last, between eight and nine o'clock, we were gratified to 

 behold the long-lost Gull making his way to his old quarters much 

 improved in his appearance, having nearly completed his adult plu- 

 mage. He immediately came down and was greeted by his old friends, 

 who evidently recognized him. He appeared fatigued and hungry : I 

 sent for some food, and he came boldly towards us, and fed almost 

 from the hand. As soon as his appetite was satisfied, he walked about, 

 quite at home among the other gulls. Since Saturday I have seen 

 him flying now and then over the Gardens and Park, but returning 

 after a short flight. 



In conclusion, I beg to say I am indebted to one of the Society's 

 most careful and very intelligent keepers (B. Misselbrook) for some 

 of the facts which have enabled me to bring before you these very 

 interesting particulars. 



ON THE MOST EFFICIENT MEANS OF PRESERVING THE EGGS 

 OF BlRDS IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BE AFTERWARDS 



HATCHED. BY A. D. BARTLETT. 



I believe there are but few persons who are quite satisfied by 

 seeing and examining the dried skins and feathers of birds. 



The great desire, therefore, to see, or to possess, in a living state, 

 these wonderful and generally beautiful creatures, has led me to 

 consider the possibility of preserving their eggs for a sufficiently long 

 period to allow of their being brought from distant places and after- 

 wards hatched. "We might thus be able to obtain some of the more 

 delicate species, and many perhaps that a long sea voyage would 

 prevent our obtaining by any other means. 



The mere keeping fresh and sweet the eggs of birds has been ac- 

 complished in many ways : for instance, they will keep for a long 

 period imbedded in lime and water, or in fat or salt ; but by these 

 means the vitality is destroyed. It appears to me, therefore, to be 

 essentially necessary, not only to prevent evaporation, but also to 



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