94 



TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



For the display of naked nests, Captain Bendire uses a very 

 simple but ingenious little standard made of four wires twisted 

 together so as to form an upright stem, a horizontal platform 

 of the right size, with four perpendicular standards to receive 

 and hold the nest. These standards are easily bent to conform 

 to the shape of the nest, and if the upper ends project above 

 the nest they are snipped off with a pair of cutting pliers. The 

 illustration on page 93 (Fig. 22) shows the exact character of the 

 wire standard, and Fig. 23 shows it in use, supporting a naked 



FIG. 23. Nest on Wire Standard, with Labels. 



nest. Captain Bendire's method of labelling his nests is also 

 shown in full. It is to be noted that the locality of the speci- 

 men exhibited, and the name of the collector, appears in full 

 upon the label two features which should never be omitted on 

 a specimen that is of sufficient value to occupy a place in a mu- 

 seum. Nevertheless, by less careful curators both these state- 

 ments are frequently omitted from labels. 



COLLECTING EGGS. In connection with a collection of nests, 

 each nest holding its own lawful and original contents, a good 

 collection of birds' eggs possesses much interest and beauty. 



