DRILLING EGGS. 89 



For preservation, eggs must of course be emptied of their con- 

 tents. This is done by drilling a single hole in the side with a 

 steel drill made for the purpose. Drills of several sizes must be 

 used for dififerent kinds of eggs. Having carefully drilled the hole, 

 apply a blow-pipe to the lips, force the contents but by blowing 

 into the one hole, holding the tgg meanwhile over a basin of water. 

 After the &gg is blown it should be thoroughly rinsed by taking 

 water into the mouth and spirting it through the blow-pipe. A 

 few trials will show the operator how delicately eggs must be 

 handled to prevent breakage. Accidents occur rnore frequently 

 from blowing too hard and bursting the &gg than by breaking it 

 under the pressure of the fingers in drilling or subsequent hand- 

 ling. 



Instrument for holding Eggs while Drilling and Blowing. 



I can recommend the above simply constructed instrument for 

 holding eggs while preparing them for the cabinet. 



It costs but a trifle, and is easily made. The oval rings do not 

 touch the ^gg as they are covered with a lioht gauze like mosquito 

 netting which holds the ^gg lightly but securely. 



I have used this instrument for several years and have found it 

 to be much better than the fingers for holding eggs while drilling 

 and blowing. 



Never make holes at the end of the tgg, or on opposite sides. This 

 is an old method and should be dropped at once. 



Eggs with one hole smoothly drilled in the side present a neater ap- 

 pearance in the cabinet and without they are exceedingly rare are 

 the only kind sought by experienced collectors in making an ex- 

 change. 



In every case the hole should be as small as can be got along 

 with; a fresh Robin's &gg for example, may be emptied and rinsed 

 through a hole scarcely admitting the head of a common pin. 



