XV 
proved to demonstration to exist; let us say the egg of 
the Solitary Sandpiper. 
It is a collection also which can be enjoyed, when 
almost complete, in a reasonable compass; ascan medals, 
coins, and enamels. 
The collector of Pictures, with even a noble house, 
and a noble income, might prefer to have examples of 
Paolo Veronese, or Murillo; some might even desire 
Rubens, and Snyders; but for the sake of room has to be 
content with Ruysdael, Teniers, and Wilkie. 
So also the Ornithologist might prefer groups of 
stuffed birds similar to those now in course of addition 
to the South Kensington Museum, under Dr. Ginther, 
where one pair of small birds, with their natural sur- 
roundings to form a perfect picture, requires many cubic 
feet of room. These tastes can be, generally speaking, 
very partially indulged. 
There is another advantage in collecting eggs, over 
the collecting of Birds, it being admitted that rarities 
are too ruthlessly sought. The egg collector spares the 
birds; the bird collector exterminates them: he spares 
them in the hope that they may yet again furnish him 
with their treasures; and some who in making up their 
clutches are not so over desirous that their whole clutch 
should be laid by one bird, will leave one or two of the 
eggs for the parent’s consolation and encouragement. 
Iam aware that, ina few instances, it may be brought 
against the bird’s nester that he shoots the parent birds for 
tdentification ; as in the case of the Little Stint ; yet this 
is only necessary in case of almost indistinguishable eggs 
which after all are very few; and in this particular case, 
Mr. Seebohm having convinced us that the eggs of 
Minuta are not in the least like the eggs of Temminckii; 
which are still doing duty for them in many cabinets; 
