34 BIRDS'-NESTING. 



by a careless jar or tumble. For this work a trout- 

 basket is first-rate, since you can conveniently sus- 

 pend it by a strap over the shoulder, leaving your 

 hands free. At one time I was accustomed to wear 

 a soldier's cartridge-box attached to my belt. This 

 was not cumbersome, and served fairly when filled 

 with empty shells carefully ensconced in cotton ; but 

 I could never trust it to carry unblown eggs in 

 safety. It would prove a very handy receptacle 

 however, for note-book, instruments, etc., and would 

 not be in one's way in climbing or making a path 

 through thickets and the other obstacles an enthusi- 

 astic and often heedless egg-hunter is pretty likely 

 to encounter in his pursuit. If you carry the eggs 

 without the nest, wrap each one carefully in cotton, 

 wrap the cotton in soft paper, put them in a shallow 

 tin box, with plenty of cotton between, and fasten 

 the cover of the box tightly, which may then be 

 placed in the pocket or basket. 



