12 INTRODUCTION. 



conspicuous (or near the " drill-hole," if there be one). There 

 are various methods of marking, but whichever be followed 

 should be uniformly observed. Perhaps the best is to write 12 

 on each egg a number of the Smithsonian or Dr. Cones' Check- 

 list (followed by S. or C. to indicate which) ; for instance on a 

 Wood Thrush's egg either 148 S. or 3 C. To this may b.e 

 added another number, referring to your note-book, which 

 should be a blank-book, with long but wide pages ruled by 

 lines forming several columns of suitable width. In these 

 columns (with proper headings) should be written first the 

 number of reference, and then the name of the bird, its 

 number on the check -lists ; the number of eggs originally in 

 the nest, by whom collected or from whom obtained, the place 

 and date of collection ; also, when desirable, remarks as to the 

 size, incubation, or peculiarities of the eggs, the position and 

 structure of the nest. It is often well to avoid mention of the 

 place where the eggs of hawks, herons, etc., were found, as 

 these birds frequently build conspicuous nests in restricted 

 localities, to which, if not too much disturbed, they return 

 year after year. Secrecy is often as desirable for an ornitholo- 

 gist as for a sportsman. Eggs should be arranged in the proper 

 sequence of families, etc., and those of each species should be 

 kept distinct from others. All of one kind may be grouped 

 together, or duplicates may be separated from better and 

 representative specimens. 



L. A cabinet may be strictly a cabinet, consisting of 

 pigeon-holes or shelves, and screwed to the wall, or a box, a 



12 Purple ink will be foirad to flow more freely than ordinary black ink. Fig- 

 ures should be fine and made with care. They may be written on a bit of paper 

 gummed over the u drill-hole," though it is better to write on the shell itself, unless 

 too delicate, or unless the egg be very small. 



