BIRD'S EGGS, SUPPLIES, ETC. 75 



After rinsing wipe the egg dry and lay it with the hole 

 down in a tray that has a coarse towel or piece of blotting 

 paper in the bottom to absorb the drainage. As soon as the 

 egg becomes thoroughly dry both within and without, the 

 egg is ready for the cabinet. 



THE EMBRYO, unless too far advanced, can be removed 

 by drilling the hole larger, blow out a portion of the 

 contents, inject a little water, shake gently, blow again. 

 We have often removed an embryo nearly formed in this 

 manner. It will sometimes be necessary to repeat this opera- 

 tion several times before the embryo is entirely removed. 



When the young is well formed in the egg, it can be 

 removed by making the hole still larger, and extracting the 

 contents in small pieces by the use of an embryo hook. 

 We have often taken a young bird from the egg whole, by 

 making the hole very large, then fishing in the egg with 

 embryo hook until able to hook it into the under mandible 

 then draw and work gently. 



It requires only a very little practice to enable any per- 

 son to prepare and blow an egg or extract an embryo 

 nicely. 



A " little practice" will be of more value to the col- 

 lector than volumes written on the subject. 



BLOWING MACHINES, AUTOMATIC DRILLS, SUCTION 

 BULBS, &c. , have been with us a failure, we do not wish 

 to condemn the use of any realty meritorious instrument, 

 but as yet we have failed to find anything equal to a good 

 drill, blow-pipe and embryo hook. Fine scissors are often 

 very useful in cutting the embryo. 



