NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 183 



be filled with memoranda devoted to the record of nests found and exam- 

 ined ; the general nature of the surroundings ; the precise color and condi- 

 tion of the eggs when found, as all these fade quickly from the memory. 



Few persons make extensive collections of nests ; many birds make no 

 nests, others only such structures as cannot well be preserved ; those that 

 can be collected require a wrapping of thread for their safe keeping. Nests 

 and nesting places, are, therefore, as a rule, described and recorded in a 

 note-book, and not kept for study. 



Go into the field as lightly equipped as possible. Before you gather 

 together a wagon load of pullies, block and tackle, find out just where you 

 are going to use them. In climbing high trees, climbers may be used, and 

 a wooden or tin box, filled with cotton, should be taken up with you; in 

 this, securely place the eggs before descending the tree. 



When you come across a large number of the nests and eggs of one 

 species, do not take every nest you can lay your hands on ; allow some to 

 remain untouched. A writer in the "Ornithologist and Oologist" justly 

 describes such a collector under the title of "The Great American Egg 

 Hog." It is not a very elegant expression, but it certainly hits some col- 

 lectors very hard. If you are going to collect eggs for the purpose of 

 showing them to your friends, like so many pretty beads, you had better 

 give it up at once. Collectors of this kind do more harm than good. 



When eggs are to be shipped by mail or express they should never 

 be packed in anything but wooden or tin boxes. Each egg should be 

 wrapped in cotton and bound tightly with thread and then wrapped in 

 tissue paper." Place them in layers in the box with bits of cotton between 

 each egg. The bottom, sides and end of the box are often lined with sheet 

 cotton which is still better protection. 



In all ordinary cases collections of eggs are preserved in the drawers 

 of a cabinet. These are divided by partitions, and each section partly 

 filled with grated cork or box-wood sawdust, in which the eggs are placed. 

 The choice of a cabinet must depend largely upon the collector's means, if 

 not also upon his individual preference. 



I cannot dismiss this subject without a word on 



PROTECTING OUR BIRDS. 



The above directions for collecting and preserving nests and eggs, and 

 the whole contents of this work are intended to assist the true naturalist in 

 the delightful subject herein treated. For those who idly roam the wood- 

 lands and pebbly shores, collecting everything in reach with aimless intent, 

 this book was never calculated. 



