46 BIRDS'-NESTING. 



instrument, illustrated, and considerably enlarged, in 

 fig. 8, resembles a pair of scissors, one blade being 

 attached to either a hollow or a split tube through 

 which passes the rod bearing the opposing blade. 

 The blades can readily be introduced into the egg 

 through a moderately sized hole, and will be found 

 very convenient in cutting up the embryo, the rem- 

 nants and pieces being afterwards removed by means 

 of the ordinary forceps." I have myself never seen 

 one of these instruments in operation, but should 

 think it would prove of much service. 



Mr. G. A. Boardman, a practical ornithologist, 

 recommends that, after having picked out as much 

 of the young bird as you safely can through a mod- 

 erate hole, you blow water into the egg with the 

 blow-pipe ; then let it stand for some days in a dark 

 drawer ; keep repeating this process about every 

 third day, gradually blowing more water into the 

 shell, until the whole embryo has decayed and is 

 taken away. He considers this a safe and sure way, 

 and certainly it is better to take the trouble of it 

 than to run any risk with a rare and valuable egg. 



As much as possible of the lining membrane should 

 be pulled out in all cases, as if this or any other mat- 

 ter is left inside, it is likely to attract insects and 

 perhaps discolor the shell ; the removal can be accom- 

 plished with patience and the help of such pincers 



