SPECIMENS SENT BY MAIL. 87 



rolling car-board over disks of wood or in stout little 

 boxes which will withstand the vicissitudes of the 

 mail-bag. The Post Office regulations in regard to 

 stamping and sealing objects of this character should 

 be carefully studied to avoid undue expense and 

 danger ; but, if any quantity of eggs are to be for- 

 warded at once, they had better be sent by express 

 than intrusted to the mails. 



If the nest is sent along, it may contain the eggs 

 belonging to it, each one wrapped in cotton, and the 

 vacancy of the nest filled with the same or other light 

 elastic material. It will be well to pin or tie up each 

 nest in paper to keep it secure, and to prevent en- 

 tano'linor the materials when several are laid toofether. 

 A temporary box may often be readily constructed 

 of pasteboard, to contain the more delicate or valu- 

 able nests, having tender walls. 



Experience will soon teach the best ways of pack- 

 ing eggs under varying circumstances of transporta- 

 tion, and the habitual care with which the earnest 

 and conscientious ooloo^ist does all thino:s connected 

 with his fragile treasures will insure him against 

 taking risks instead of taking pains, 



THE DUTY OF CARE. 



Having collected your treasures, guard them at 

 least as vigilantly as would the mother-birds whom 



