12 THE AMERICAN OOLOGISTS’ 
right of the blow hole should be placed a short straight line as near as may be 
opposite the center of the blow hole. Above this line should be placed the 
letter “a” or “A” and beneath the line the figure “5.” The letter “a” indicates 
that fact that this was the first set of Bluebirds taken this year. Any subsequent 
_sets should be indicated by the letters b, c, d, etc. The figure 5 beneath this 
line will indicate the number of eggs in the set If the set had been 4, 6 or 7 
the numbers 4, 6 or 7, according to the number of eggs in the set would be 
placed beneath this line. And beneath the blow hole should be placed numbers 
designating the year in which the set was taken, as 1910, 1911, or 1912, or what: 
ever the year might be. Each egg in the set should be marked in exactly the 
same way. 
In this way it is easy to keep track of the specimens. The A. O. U. number 
will at once identify the specimen, the set number “a 5’’ will show that it is the 
first set taken and that there were five eggs in it. The year number beneath 
the blow hole will show the year in which it was taken, and reference to the 
data or the original note book would disclose these same figures. 
Having marked all of the eggs taken according to the above method, the 
next important thing is to make out a data card for each set. This should be 
on a standard data blank and give all the salient facts regarding the set shown 
in your note book. A sample data filled in is set forth on one of the following 
pages. After this has been done place them in a dark cabinet of some kind 
with closely fitting drawers that will exclude both the dust and light The light 
will cause many specimens to fade; in fact, nearly all. Dust if it settles upon 
the eggs and the atmosphere then gets damp, will set up a peculiar character 
of fungus growth on the shell that will ultimately disfigure the eggs for all 
time; particularly those having solid color, like the Bluebird, Catbird, Wood 
Thrush and the like. 
Of course it follows that the larger the egg the easier it is to blow. Like- 
wise the larger the egg, the same rules apply to prepare it with as small a 
drill hole as possible. 
Many times it will be found that the specimens taken are more or less in- 
cubated, though it is a bad practice to take incubated eggs unless they are 
specimens of unusual varieties. In that case of course the taking is entirely 
justified. The blowing of a badly incubated specimen is a matter of tedious, 
hard work. Frequently you will have to use an embryo hook as well as a pair 
of very fine, sharp pointed embryo scissors and cut the embryo within the egg 
through the oriface made by the drill with the scissors and drag it out, piece ata 
time with the embryo hook, or force small pieces of it out by inserting the 
point of the blow pipe entirely within the shell of the egg. To do this neatly 
and safely will require a larger hole in the shell and much patience and care. 
It is never very satisfying to attempt to use caustic potash or any similar 
substance for the dissolving of the contents of an incubated specimen as is 
sometimes recommended, for the reason that ultimately the shell of the egg so 
treated will disintegrate entirely and the strong alkaline action will injure the 
tint and colors on the shell. 
After a little practice it is not hard to become proficient in the preparation 
of specimens of this kind, and you will discover that your standing and rank 
as an oologist will depend very largely upon the character of your work in pre- 
paring your specimens. Accuracy, neatness and cleanliness above all things 
should be your motto. ‘ 
The following illustrations will give an idea of the more advanced methods 
of arranging specimens in the-cabinet. Each set should be placed in a separate 
tray white card board one half inch deep, in which should be a layer of ab- 
sorbent cotton to fit the tray neatly. These trays should be from two inches 
square in multiples on up to 8x16 inches. 
