GUNS AND AMMUNITION. 93 



bottom to the shallowest at the top, for the reception of the differ, 

 ent sizes. In these drawers where the specimens are kept, cam- 

 phor, or insect powder should be freely used. I have found by 

 experience that benzine is the most effective insecticide; the cotton 

 in which the specimens are laid should b| -thoroughly saturated 

 with it once or twice a year. 



Each drawer of the cabinet should bear a label indicating its con- 

 tents. Tho expense of such a cabinet would be of course accord- 

 ing to the elegance of its material and finish. 



Choice of Guns, Aimminition &fc: — A few hints with regard 10 the 

 choice of guns will not be out of place here. Birds may be trapped 

 or snared but they are almost always shot. The choice of' a gun 

 must depend largely upon the collector's means if not also upon his 

 individual preference. 



The modern double-barreled breech loader is without doubt the 

 best arm for general purposes ; many collectors however use cane- 

 guns, "blow-guns" or a kind of pistol now extensively manufactured 

 to which a skeleton stock is fitted if desired. 



Whatever weapon is selected let it be a breech-loader in which 

 metallic or paper cartridges can be used. 



Most of the collector's shooting is to be done with the fines<^ shot 

 that can be obtained, in order to injure specimens as little as pos- 

 sible. But as the collector will secure large as v/ ell as small birds, 

 he should provide himself with an assortment of cartridges loaded 

 with shot* of different sizes. Three fourths ofthe cartridges should 

 contain small charges of mustard seed shot and the remainder may 

 be loaded with No. 8 and No, 4. 



The kind of charge may be indicated by marking the shot-wads 

 with a figure showing the No. of shot contained in the shell. 



The collector should at all times be careful to have his cartridges 

 well made, and to be always sure to know exactly what kind 

 of a load is in each of them. While passing through thick 

 bushes always carry the gun under the arm, as this prevents its ac- 

 cidental discharge by the bushes catching the trigger or hammer. 



As birds inhabit all kinds of places, it is impossible to tell the 

 collector where he must go to find them, unless he be in search of 



