A PLEA 85 



necessary to have a ' clutch ' of each kind 

 that is, the contents of a complete nest ; 

 but this is only excusable in the case of 

 naturalists, who are making a special study 

 of ornithology, and particularly of variation 

 in the colours and markings of eggs. 



A similar remark applies to my fourth 

 rule. If a naturalist is forming a collection 

 of nests, each with a full complement of eggs, 

 he will have to remove the nests which he 

 needs. Otherwise, eggs are much better 

 shown upon pink or white cotton-wool. 



But, indeed, it is not absolutely needful to 

 take either nest or eggs. Great pleasure is to 

 be derived from seeing these in the situation 

 where the parent birds placed them. The 

 skill exhibited in choosing a spot and con- 

 structing a nest, and the pretty contrast 

 between the delicately tinted eggs and the 

 materials of which the nest is composed, are 

 a pure source of gratification. One recalls 

 Wordsworth's account of the finding of a 

 nest 



'Behold, within the leafy shade 

 Three bright blue eggs together laid I 

 On me the chance discover'd sight 

 Gleam'd like a vision of delight' 



