94, Forest Birds. 
lasting properties of natural materials, when they 
are properly preserved, and kept in air-tight cases. 
All the wood in the numerous beautiful cases at 
South Kensington is the “real thing.” We know 
from the best authority that some of the pieces of 
wood containing nests were in a bad state of decay 
when obtained, and that in one instance (the 
Crested Tit) the tree was falling to pieces, and 
actually crumbled when touched ; but now, by means 
of clever preserving with liquid glass, gum, and 
other materials, these pieces of wood, although they 
still have the appearance of a decaying tree, are 
likely to last for centuries. 
The method employed in our great National 
Museum for obtaining the contents of the cases, 
and the after part, which is quite as important, viz., 
the setting up of the groups, is calculated to give 
the most natural, and therefore, asa rule, the most 
artistic results. Some landed proprietor, perhaps, 
sends word to the authorities at the museum that he 
has on his estate a pair of birds, nest and eggs, or 
young, of some particular species, of which the 
‘museum is in need. Collectors are then sent to the 
spot, and they obtain the nest and eggs, or the 
young, and the two parent birds. The immediate 
surroundings of the nest are also taken, even the 
very grass or reeds in which it was situated, and 
