EGGS AND EQQ-COLLECTINQ. 19 



Some birds show a remarkable love for the same situa- 

 tion, in which they nest year after year for an incredible 

 length of time. The same place is known to have been used 

 by falcons for about a century and a quarter, and likely to 

 continue if the birds are not molested. Blue Titmice are 

 known to have selected the same quarters over a hundred 

 years in unbroken succession. 



On Forming a Collection. My concluding remarks 

 will be devoted to the guidance of such as require to make 

 a collection of eggs. 



Keep close watch on the building operations of the 

 birds whose eggs are required. Dippers, Thrushes, and 

 many others commence early in the spring, especially after 

 a mild winter. 



Take only one specimen, and not until you have reason 

 to believe the bird has done laying. Never under any cir- 

 cumstances take an egg when you have ground to suppose 

 incubation has commenced, or is in an advanced stage, for 

 besides the cruelty of the thing, it will often be of no use. 



The specimen being secured, it is taken for granted the 

 collector is furnished with the necessary drill and blow- 

 pipe, procurable at any naturalist's shop. The next pro- 

 ceeding is to drill a small hole exactly on the side of 

 the egg, selecting that of a spotted one with the least 

 characteristic marks on it. Then insert the end of the 

 blow-pipe, or rather direct the current of air sent through 

 it into the hole made, being careful with small eggs 

 not to burst them, or squeeze them until they collapse 

 under the pressure of the fingers. When the contents 

 have been emptied wash the egg out with clean water, 

 introduced through the blow-pipe, being careful not to 

 wet the outside more than necessary, or rub it too 



