16 CARE OF THE BIRD IN THE FIELD 



have added as many 'records' of the occurrence of species beyond 

 the normal limits of their range; but in regions whose birds have been 

 adequately collected, he will unquestionably render ornithology a far 

 higher service by devoting himself to a study of biographic problems 

 than by collecting specimens which, however much they may gratify 

 his desire for acquisition and increase his personal acquaintance with 

 birds, will add but little or nothing to the fund of ornithological 

 knowledge. 



The student with some definite problem in view is always justified 

 in taking the specimens which are required to aid in prosecuting his 

 researches, nor can there be any reasonable objection to collecting 

 for purposes of identification; but there can be no doubt that through- 

 out the greater part of eastern North America there is no longer need for 

 general, indiscriminate collecting. No better proof of the truth of this 

 statement can be required than the fact that, as our introductory 

 'Historical Review' shows, some of the most important additions to 

 our knowledge of birds in this area, during the past fifteen years, have 

 been made by men who are not collectors. 



There is no question of the destruction of life involved here. In 

 only two or three instances has the collecting of birds for specimens 

 appreciably affected the numbers of a species; and, as every one familiar 

 with the facts involved knows, the results of general amateur collect- 

 ing are absolutely inappreciable. Therefore, it is the student, rather 

 than the bird, I have in mind, when I discourage further collecting 

 in regions whose bird-life is already well-known. In most cases the 

 time which he can give to bird study is limited, and the question is, 

 shall he devote it to doing exactly what ornithologists for generations 

 before him have done, or shall he, by concentrating on a definite prob- 

 blem, do what no one has done? Can he not well afford to forego a 

 general superficial knowledge of a large number of birds, such as many 

 have had, for a special knowledge of some few birds such as no one 

 has had? For the real student, imbued with the true spirit of research, 

 there can be only one answer to this question. 



After this protest against unnecessary collecting, and the waste 

 of opportunity it occasions, I add a description of the technique of 

 birdskin making, for the use of those who may properly employ it. 



Care of the Bird in the Field. On killing a bird, pick it up by the 

 bill or feet, and at once sprinkle meal or dry earth on any blood which 

 may be visible. When this is saturated, scrape it off with a knife-blade 

 and repeat the operation until all the blood is absorbed. Sprinkle 

 some meal at the base of the feathers about the shot-holes from which 

 the blood appears, or, if necessary, plug these holes with bits of cotton. 

 Place a large plug of cotton in the mouth and force it well down the 

 throat to prevent bleeding at the mouth from an internal wound. In 

 some cases it is necessary to also plug the nostrils. Now make a cornu- 

 copia of stiff paper, drop the bird in it head foremost, taking care 

 that the bill is not turned forward on to the throat, and, if the bird is 



