INTRODUCTION. 13 



long and rather flat one being the best, or a chest of drawers, 

 which is the most convenient. The latter may be fitted with a 

 series of small, shallow trays, made of paper or paste-board, 

 though these diminish the attractiveness of a collection, and 

 are more or less dangerous. I have found a rather deep layer 

 of fine sea-sand, such as may be obtained at almost every 

 grocer's store, much more satisfactory, since it forms a pleasing 

 background for the eggs, which can be fixed in it firmly, and 

 is always exempt from moths or other insects : fine saw-dust 

 is the best substitute. 



All cabinets should be dark when closed, as many eggs fade 

 when exposed to the light, particularly those which are blue or 

 green. 



§ M. Having now followed the eggs from the time when the 

 mother was scared from her nest, until they were placed in a 

 cabinet, I shall return to speak of the difficulty in frightening 

 certain birds when incubating, chiefly the hawks. Individuals, 

 ratlier than species, vary in this respect, though the smaller are 

 undoubtedly more often timid than others. One hawk glides 

 silently from her nest as you approach ; another flies when you 

 rap the tree energetically with a stick ; whereas a third remains 

 until the crackling of branches, as you ascend, causes her to 

 seek safety in flight. Hawks, moreover, are often obliged to 

 leave the nest, after the eggs are laid, if their mates either die 

 or fail to supply them with sufficient food. As about ninety 

 per cent, or more of the nests found in a large "hawkery" are 

 old, except a few nests belonging to crows and squirrels, and 

 as hawks and owls, moreover, often inhabit such, not always 

 rebuilding them, one naturally is doubtful about climbing far, 

 on finding a large nest of sticks, which is likely to contain 



