54 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 17-No. 4 



numerous as in the spring migrations. The 

 name Calico-back is the only name known here 

 for tliis bird. 



316. Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura). 

 Common during May, September and October. 



.32.5. Turkey Vulture {Cathurtes aura). 

 Common resident. Breeds on the main land 

 and possibly on the beach, although I have 

 not yet been able to find their eggs. 



331. Marsh Hawk {Circus hudsonlus). Rare. 

 Have seen but two of this beautiful species. 



352. Bald Eagle (Haliijeetus ltucucej>halus). 

 Rare. I have seen but one during all my trips. 



357. Pigeon Hawk {Falco columbarius). 

 Rare in sirring, common in fail, particularly in 

 October. 



360. American Sparrow Hawk {Falco upar- 

 verius). Common in spring and fall. 



364. American Osprey (PamUon halhti'tnx 

 carollnensis). Very common from about April 

 10th until the heavy frosts of November set in. 

 Some twenty pairs of these birds have their 

 nests on the beach. 



366. American Long-eared Owl {Asio wiLso- 

 nianus). Not common. Have seen a few 

 during the winter months. Generally seen in 

 a cedar tree. 



373. Screech Owl {Meyascops asio). Not 

 common. Probably breeds, as I have seen 

 young birds on the beach scarcely able to fly. 



375. Great Horned Owl {liubo virginianus). 

 Rare. I have seen but one in all my trijjs 

 through the woods, and as usual, whenever I 

 run up against Mr. Bubo, I have no gun with 

 me. 



376. Snowy Owl {Nyctea vyctea). Very 

 rare. On December 20, 1890, one made its 

 appearance. It was the signal for every gunner 

 to venture forth, particularly so, as 1 offered a 

 five-dollar bill to the one securing the bird. 



.387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus ameri- 

 caniis). Common spring and fall migrant. 

 Does not breed on the beach. 



390. Belted Kingfisher {Ceryle alcyon). 

 Very common from March until late in 

 November. Breeds on the beach. 



Philip Laurent. 

 [To be Continued.] 



A Cabinet of Birds' Eggs. 



'•One of the favorite pursuits of boys in the 

 ccnxntry is that of making a collection of the 

 eggs of different kinds of birds; and, like every 

 employment that tends to foster a taste for 



natural historj', this deserves to be encouraged. 

 The following hints maj^ be useful : In selecting 

 eggs for a cabinet, always choose those which 

 are newly laid; make a medium-sized hole at 

 the sharp end, with a pointed instrument; 

 having made the hole at the sharp end, make 

 one at the blunt, and let this last hole be as 

 small as passible; this done, apply your mouth 

 to the blunt end, and blow the contents 

 through the shar^i end. If the yolk will not 

 come freely, run a pin or wire up into the egg, 

 and stir the yolk well about; now get a cup- 

 ful of water, and, immersing the sharp end 

 of the shell into it, apply your mouth to the 

 blunt end and suck up some of the water into 

 the empty shell; then put your finger and 

 thumb upon the two holes, shake the water 

 well within, and, after this, blow it out. The 

 water will clear your egg of any remains of 

 yolk or of white, which may stay in after 

 blowing. If one suck \\\> of water will not 

 suffice, make a second or third. An egg, im- 

 mediately after it is produced, is very clear 

 and fine; but by staying in the nest, and 

 coming in contact with the feet of the bird, it 

 soon assumes a dirty a])pearance. 'I'o lemedy 

 this, wash it well in sonp and watei', and use a 

 nail-brush to get the dirt off. Your egg shell 

 is now as it ought to be, and nothing remains 

 to be done, but to prevent the thin white 

 membrane, which is still inside, from cor- 

 rupting. Take a wine-glass, and fill it with 

 the solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol, 

 then immerse the sharp end of the egg slicll 

 into it, keeping your linger and thumb, as you 

 hold it, just clear of the solution; apply your 

 mouth to the little hole <at the blunt end, and 

 suck up some of the solution into the shell. 

 You need not be fearful of getting the liquor 

 into your mouth, for as soon as it rises in the 

 shell, the cold will strike your finger and 

 thumb, and then you cease sucking; shake the 

 shell, just as you did when the water was in 

 it, and tiien blow the solution back into the 

 glass. Your egg shell is now beyond the 

 reach of corruption; the membrane forever 

 retains its pristine whiteness, and no insect, 

 for the time to come, will ever venture to prey 

 upon it. If you wish your egg to appear 

 extremely brilliant, give it a coat of mastic 

 varnish, put on very sparingly with a camel- 

 hair pencil. Green or blue eggs must be done 

 with gum-arabic; the mastic varnish is a]>t to 

 injure the colors." 



The above interesting and useful (?) direc- 

 tions, were taken from page 304, of " The Boy's 

 Handy Book of Sports, Games, etc.," published 



