K. L. Skinner — Hints for Aviculturists



53



as found, giving a number to each clutch and mark that number on each

egg in that clutch. The book will contain all the necessary information,

where found, date, and a few notes about the nest, whether eggs are

fresh or sat upon, and anything else worth recording. In some

countries, such as India and America, collectors work to a standard

reference list, and mark the recognized reference number on their eggs

as well as their own number.


Data. —Any neat scraps of paper will do for data slips, but a printed

form looks best, of course. Data slips should give the same information

that is recorded in the book, viz. name, date, locality, where found,

etc. etc., and, of course, the clutch reference number as marked on

the eggs.


Blowing Eggs. —Use only a conical drill and only make one hole,

and that on the side of the egg where the markings are least beautiful.

Wet the drill before starting, hold the egg in the fingers of the left hand,

and with the drill in the fingers of the right hand twirl the drill until

a hole is made sufficiently large for the contents to come out. Always

do this over a pan of water, as the egg if it drops is not so.likely to break.

Having bored the hole put the blow-pipe to the mouth, and with the

egg held hole downwards over the water blow air at the hole. It will

force its way in, form a cushion behind the yolk and force out the con¬

tents. If the yolk-sac does not break, but comes out whole, thei'e will

be no need to cleanse the egg, but if the yolk-sac breaks the egg must

be rinsed out by injecting water with the blow-pipe and blowing it

out till the inside is quite clean. After the egg is blown, lay it hole down

on a wet piece of old white cloth. Any dregs will run out, the surface

attraction of the wet cloth helping in this. Do not let them dry and stick

to the cloth, or portions of the shell will adhere to the cloth when you

lift the eggs up. All these little details are important, and make the

difference between good and badly prepared specimens. Clean outside

of eggs as far as you can, but remember the markings will wash off

some.


Packing. —-To pack eggs get a strong wooden box from a store.

Line it with cotton-wool, and tear strips of cotton-wool and wind each

egg round and round. The great things to remember are (1) to pack

the eggs so that they cannot rattle loose and touch each other or the



