176 THE natuealist's guide. 



calibre, thirty-eight hundredths of an inch being large 

 enough. With a proper charge, which can be ascer- 

 tained by experiment, using equal bulk of powder and 

 shot, birds as large as Blue-birds can be killed at twenty 

 yards. Besides being more economical, the specimens 

 collected with this gun are better shot than with a 

 heavier one. The report is lighter, and does not 

 frighten the birds as much. 



I do not now recommend Ely's wire cartridges. 

 For large birds, use a rifle with a small calibre. This 

 will kill farther, and will usually insure good speci- 

 mens. 



In addition to the advice given on page 7, first par- 

 agraph, I would remark, that unless the shot-holes in 

 the abdomen are found and carefully plugged, the es- 

 caping fluids, being often exceedingly acrid, are quite 

 apt to soften the skin in a short time. I have known 

 the epidermis to slip on the abdomen before the spec- 

 imen Avas cold, from this cause. . 



In picking np a Heron, Duck, or Wader which has 

 fallen into muddy Avater or ooze, care should be used 

 to take it by the bill, as then a greater portion of the 

 filth will slide off the oily feathers, which process may 

 be facilitated by gently shaking the bird. I have 

 seen white herons completely ruined by collectors who 

 took them out of the mud by the feet, thereby allow- 

 ing the dirt to slip under the immaculate feathers. 



Allow me once more to repeat the caution about 

 handling guns. A good breach-loader, if properly 

 handl'fed, is perfectly safe : but never point your gun at 

 a human being (there is no necessity of getting in front 

 of the muzzle yourself when it is loaded), and there 

 is no danger to any one. In shooting, the gun should 

 never be brought to a full cock until you are about to 

 fire. Practice will make perfect in this respect. I can 



