Preface, 



HIS work is intended to instruct the young naturalist in 

 ^^/ collecting and preserving birds, nests, eggs, and insects. 

 For the benefit of the oologist, I have compiled from such 

 works as I have at hand, descriptions of the nests and eggs of 

 North American birds from family Turdidae to Tanagridae in- 

 clusive — giving at the same time original notes on those species 

 that are familiar to me. 



In this connection I have received valuable notes from reli- 

 able collectors in different parts of the country, for which due 

 credit is given in the following pages. 



Asterisks (-■■•^••) are placed after the names of those species 

 concerning whose nests and eggs I have obtained no reliable 

 information. 



It is hoped that the new methods in mounting birds will be 

 of value to the experienced taxidermist as well as to the begin- 

 ner. 



The instructions for collecting insects are chiefly those which 

 I have learned from experience. 



In presenting this little volume to my readers, I trust they 

 will find herein some hints that will be of aid to them in col- 

 lecting and preserving their own specimens. 



O. D. 



