COLLECTING BIRDS' EGGS AND NESTS. 



91 



Very good and serviceable climbing-irons can be obtained of 

 Mr. Frank B. Webster, 409 Washing-ton Street, Boston, for 

 $3.50 per pair. Mr. Webster also keeps, at his very complete 

 naturalist's supply depot, nearly every requisite that an 

 oologist or taxidermist requires, except one thing that is in- 

 dispensable in hunting and lofty tree-climbing, nerve. Ev- 

 ery collector or taxidermist should send Mr. Webster ten 

 cents for a copy of his illustrated catalogue, which of itself is 

 probably the finest of its kind ever issued, and in which all 

 naturalist's and oologist's supplies are pictured, described, 

 and priced. The following are the principal articles needed 

 to make up a proper outfit for an egg collector, and Mr. Web- 

 ster's prices thereon : 



Collecting-box, 75 cents. 



Egg drills, six sizes, 15 cents to 81.50. 



Calipers, for use in measuring, CO cents. 



Embryo hooks, 25 cents. 



Embryo scissors, 25 cents to $1.50. 



Egg measures, 75 cents to $1.00. 



Pasteboard trays, for eggs, per dozen, 12 



cents. 

 Pocket-case (leather), complete, with drills, 



blower, hooks, scissors, and forceps, 



$5.00. 

 Climbing-irons, per pair, $3.50. 



COLLECTING NESTS. Our boys pay too much attention to col- 

 lecting eggs, and not half enough to nests. To the average 

 observer who takes an interest in perusing the pages of Nat- 

 ure's story-book, a fine collection of bird's nests is a joy forever. 

 It is ever ready to unfold chapter after chapter of bird lore, 

 tales of wonderful intelligence and divine ingenuity in adapting 

 means to ends, and stories galore of difficulties surmounted by 

 the cunningest little architects in the world. Notice, if you 

 please, the bewildering variety of materials employed in the 

 construction of these bird-dwellings, great and small. Why, 

 even the human architects of our own time are completely sur- 

 passed by the Baltimore oriole, the marsh wren, and the hum- 

 ming-bird. 



There is food for thought and cause for admiration in a really 

 good collection of bird's nests. To me there is much more of 

 interest in any nest than in the eggs it contains. The latter is 

 a plain and simple product of nature, to w r hich the bird is 

 merely an interested party to circumstances beyond its own con- 

 trol. The former is an exhibit of the instinct, intelligence, rea- 

 soning powers, industry, and mechanical and artistic skill of a 



