COLLECTING BIRDS' EGGS. 



DIRECTIONS 



ior Collecting and grcdcrVing 

 BIRDS' UGGS. 



'vjp^HE number and variety of the eggs of birds are curious sub- 

 •u^N jects of contemplation, and should be carefully noted when- 

 ^--^ ever opportunity offers. ThSy are as essential to the personal 

 history of the species as any other part of our inquiries. Collect- 

 ors should be impressed with the fact that eggs are loorthless for 

 scientific purposes if doubt is attached to their identification. The 

 greatest care therefore should a/zcajj/j- be taken to identify the parents 

 of nests and eggs secured. It is not always sufficient to detect a 

 a supposed parent near the nest, for there is much liability to mis- 

 take where different kinds of birds are breeding together, particu- 

 larly if they be nearly related species, or those species whose 

 nest, eggs and breeding habits are similar. To the experienced 



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