38 The Oologists Record, June 1, 1923. 



selects the animals from which he breeds sees to it that no environ- 

 mental condition disturbs his objective. 



A very popular means of attempting to show how little environ- 

 ment has to do with the evolution of species and sub-species consists 

 of the breeding of certain types of bird by the hybridization of 

 species or the mating of sub-species. Thus, from two very different 

 types of Pheasant may be produced a third type differing from 

 either, and this third type may be perpetuated until it becomes 

 more or less stable. If, however, such hybrids or intermediate 

 forms were produced in Nature they would at once be stamped out 

 if unsuitable in any way to their surroundings. By judicious 

 blending one could in captivity undoubtedly form from the black 

 Kalij {Gennoeus horsfieldi) and the Chinese Silver Pheasant {GenncsLS 

 nychemerns) all the races of Gennceiis now known and possibly many 

 new forms hitherto unthought of. These may in time all breed true 

 to their parents, but if released an^Avhere in the countries, to which 

 their parents birds belonged, and freed from artificial protection 

 of any kind, they would either all perish or those who escaped 

 would gradually revert to the form dominant in the country on 

 account of its protective coloration. 



A STEEL EGG CABINET. 



Thoee collectors who favour the use of the fairly large glass- 

 topped boxes which house a series of the eggs of each species 

 generally keep such boxes in wooden cabinets furnished with 

 shelves, on which the boxes are arranged in tiers. We have lately 

 installed in our office a Sankey-Sheldon steel cupboard, which would 

 appear to be an ideal thing for the purpose. It is a standard 

 production and can be added to as a collection grows, but there 

 is no means of joining up one cupboard with another like a sectional 

 bookcase. It is not so impermeable to air as an ordinary safe would 

 be, but is well-nigh dust-proof.-*- It is finished externally like a 

 safe and furnished with double doors locked by a Chubb lock. 



The size best suited to the Oologist is No. 628, which is 72 inches 

 high, 28 inches wide and 18 inches deep. This size has three 

 adjustable shelves, and many more shelves can be added at 7s. Br- 

 each. The price is £8 175. 6rf., which is practically as cheap as 

 wood. The cupboards are sold by Messrs. Harris and Sheldon, 

 of 46, Cannon Street, London, E.C. 4. 



