HATCHING OUT AND INCUBATORS. 47 



than he will in testing the fertility of his eggs ; a little 

 sharp ivory instrument, something like a toothpick, is 

 the best assistant in this operation, but I have often 

 seen it successfully performed with a common sharp 

 lead pencil. 



You will easily see the little hole where the beak is 

 appearing, and if the efforts to escape are too pro- 

 longed, or you think the strength of the chick is failing, 

 pick away little bits of the shell from around the 

 orifice, taking the greatest care not to prick or tear 

 the transparent skin underneath, and so cause blood 

 to flow, which will kill the bird. 



