Auk 
320 Notes and News. ae 
ing it exceedingly difficult to skin the specimen. Care must also be taken 
to avoid using more than is absolutely necessary in the throat, as the thin- 
ness of the gullet allows the formaldehyde to act directly upon the skin 
of the neck, which is apt to become so stiff and dry as to cause it to tear 
in the effort to skin the bird over the head. A few drops only will suf- 
fice for the preservation of this part of the bird, except in the case of a 
large crop full of decomposing food. When properly treated with this 
solution, and properly cooled off in the first instance, birds will keep a 
week even in warm weather in sufficiently good condition to make a fair 
skin. 
The saturated solution of formaldehyde is 40%, but it evaporates easily 
and is usually about 36%. As it is greatly adulterated, sometimes being 
nothing but pyroligneous or acetic acid mixed with impure methy] alcohol, 
and even when comparatively pure is much reduced in strength by un- 
scrupulous dealers, it is much wiser to procure the article from an abso- 
lutely trustworthy source than to buy indiscriminately. 
As a convenient insecticide and preventive of mildew formaldehyde 
fills a long felt want. When a burner for making the gas (formic alde- 
hyd) is not within reach some of the solution can be poured into dishes 
and placed in the cases of specimens. It performs its work ina few hours. 
An occasional fumigation of a collection will prevent all danger from in- 
sects and also from mould in an ordinarily dry atmosphere. The gas 
evaporates like ammonia from the aqueous solution, penetrating every 
crevice and interstice, and destroys all insect life as well as fungoid 
growths. It is a wise plan to subject all specimens received in exchange 
or by purchase to a thorough disinfection, which is easily done in this 
manner. 
Two and a half years’ use of formaldehyde has so demonstrated its 
effectiveness and convenience in the preparation of specimens that all 
ornithological collectors should become acquainted with its properties. 
It will be found of the greatest assistance in the field and in the labora- 
tory. 
JosEPH MAILLIARD. 
San Geronimo, Cal. 
NOTES AND NEWS. 
Pror. ALPHONSE MILNE-EDWARDS, an Honorary Member of the Amer- 
ican Ornithologists’ Union, died in Paris April 21, 1900, at the age of sixty- 
four years. Prof. Milne-Edwards was of English descent; his grandfather, 
Bryan Edwards, M. P., was a West Indian planter, who settled at Bruges, 
France. His father was the well-known eminent zodlogist of Paris, who 
died in 1885. The son, Alphonse, was associated many years with his 
father in zodlogical work. 
