12 THE AMERICAN OOLOGISTS' 



right of the blow hole should be placed a short straight line as near as may be 

 opposite the center of the blow hole. Above this line should be placed the 

 letter "a" or "A" and beneath the line the figure "5." The letter "a" indicates 

 that fact that this was the first set of Bluebirds taken this year. Any subsequent 

 sets should be indicated by the letters b, c, d, etc. The figure 5 beneath this 

 line will indicate the number of eggs in the set If the set had been 4, 6 or 7 

 the numbers 4, 6 or 7, according to the number of eggs in the set would be 

 placed beneath this line. And beneath the blow hole should be placed numbers 

 designating the year in which the set was taken, as 1910, 1911, or 1912, or what- 

 ever the year might be. Each egg in the set should be marked in exactly the 

 same way. 



In this way it is easy to keep track of the specimens. The A. O. U. number 

 will at once identify the specimen, the set number "a 5" will show that it is the 

 first set taken and that there were five eggs in it. The year number beneath 

 the blow hole will show the year in which it was taken, and reference to the 

 data or the original note book wculd disclose these same figures. 



Having marked all of the eggs taken according to the above method, the 

 next important thing is to make out a data card for each set. This should be 

 on a standard data blank and give all the salient facts regarding the set shown 

 in your note book. A sample data filled in is set forth on one of the following 

 pages. After this has been done place them in a dark cabinet of some kind 

 with closely fitting drawers that will exclude both the dust and light The light, 

 will cause many specimens to fade; in fact, nearly all. Dust if it settles upon 

 the eggs and the atmosphere then gets damp, will set up a peculiar character 

 of fungus growth on the shell that will ultimately disfigure the eggs for all 

 time; particularly those having solid color, like the Bluebird, Catbird, Wood 

 Thrush and the like. 



Of course it follows that the larger the egg the easier it is to blow. Like- 

 wise the larger the egg, the same rules apply to prepare it with as small a 

 drill hole as possible. 



Many times it will be found that the specimens taken are more or less in- 

 cubated, though it is a bad practice to take incubated eggs unless they are 

 specimens of unusual varieties. In that case of course the taking is entirely 

 justified. The blowing of a badly incubated specimen is a matter of tedious, 

 hard work. Frequently you will have to use an embryo hook as well as a pair 

 of very fine, sharp pointed embryo scissors and cut the embryo within the egg 

 through the oriface made by the drill with the scissors and drag it out, piece at a 

 time with the embryo hook, or force small pieces of it out by inserting the 

 point of the blow pipe entirely within the shell of the egg. To do this neatly 

 and safely will require a larger hole in the shell and much patience and care. 



It is never very satisfying to attempt to use caustic potash or any similar 

 substance for the dissolving of the contents of an incubated specimen as is 

 sometimes recommended, for the reason that ultimately the shell of the egg so 

 treated will disintegrate entirely and the strong alkaline a'ction will injure the 

 tint and colors on the shell. 



After a little practice it is not hard to become proficient in the preparation 

 of specimens of this kind, and you will discover that your standing and rank 

 as an oologist will depend very largely upon the character of your work in pre- 

 paring your specimens. Accuracy, neatness and cleanliness above all things 

 should be your motto. 



The following illustrations will give an idea of the more advanced methods 

 of arranging specimens in the cabinet. Each set should be placed in a separate 

 tray white card board one half inch deep, in which should be a layer of ab- 

 sorbent cotton to fit the tray neatly. These trays should be from two inches 

 square in multiples on up to 8 x 1 inches. 



