50 BIKDS'-NESTmG. 



the most tedious. Nevertheless, it is quite worth the 

 trouble in the case of really rare specimens, and they 

 will be in none the worse condition for final operation 

 on account of the previous delay of a few days caused 

 by waiting for the gum to dry and harden. 



Notwithstanding the apparent fragility of eggs, a 

 little experience will enable any one to empty them 

 of their contents with great ease and safety. The 

 principal accident to be guarded against is that of 

 crushing the egg by too great pressure between the 

 fingers ; these should be applied so as barely to hold 

 the egg, and no more. A very nervous person 

 better not attempt it. If an operation be performed 

 over a full basin of water, the chance dropping 

 of the egg from the fingers into the water will 

 usually be attended with no harm. A small instru- 

 ment designed to assist in safely handling eggs while 

 in course of preparation was recalled to the atten- 

 tion of naturalists, by Doctor Coues in the following 

 paragraph in the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornitho- 

 logical Club for October, 1878 : 



" The usual method of emptying eggs through one 

 small hole with a bent blow-pipe is doubtless sup- 

 posed to be a very modern trick ; but it dates back 

 to 1828, when M. Danger proposed 'a new method 

 of preparing and preserving eggs for the cabinet,' 

 which is substantially identical with the operation as 



