INTRODUCTION. 13 
long and rather flat one being the best, or a chest of drawers, 
which is the most convenient. The latter may be fitted with a 
series of small, shallow trays, made of paper or paste-board, 
though these diminish the attractiveness of a collection, and 
are more or less dangerous. I have found a rather deep layer 
of fine sea-sand, such as may be obtained at almost every 
grocer’s store, much more satisfactory, since it forms a pleasing 
background for the eggs, which can be fixed in it firmly, and 
is always exempt from moths or other insects: fine saw-dust 
is the best substitute. : 
All cabinets should be dark when closed, as many eggs fade 
when exposed to the light, particularly those which are blue or 
green. 
§ M. Having now followed the eggs from the time when the 
mother was scared from her nest, until they were placed in a 
cabinet, I shall return to speak of the difficulty in frightening 
certain birds when incubating, chiefly the hawks. Individuals, 
rather than species, vary in this respect, though the smaller are 
undoubtedly more often timid than others. One hawk glides 
silently from her nest*as you approach ; another flies when you 
rap the tree energetically with a stick; whereas a third remains 
until the crackling of branches, as you ascend, causes her to 
seek safety in flight. Hawks, moreover, are often obliged to 
leave the nest, after the eggs are laid, if their mates either die 
or fail to supply them with sufficient food. As about ninety 
per cent. or more of the nests found in a large “‘ hawkery” are 
old, except a few nests belonging to crows and squirrels, and 
as hawks and owls, moreover, often inhabit such, not always 
rebuilding them, one naturally is doubtful about climbing far, 
on finding a large nest of sticks, which is likely to contain 
