156 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 10-No. 10 



A second net of cbeese cloth or other light ma 

 tcrial, made in the same shape, is for sweeping 

 the grass and bushes for beetles and larvnc. The 

 same frame will answer for both nets. 



A third net made of coarse millinct or grass 

 cloth, and shaped something like a scoop, with 

 one flat side, will be needed for rapturing aquatir 

 insects, larva?, &c. 



2d. Killing Bottles: Many methods have 

 been given for killing insects after capture, some 

 use ether, cldomform or hciizhie, others advocate 

 pinching the thorax while in the net, but the best 

 method we have found is to use a widc-moutlKil 

 bottle with a few pieces of Cyanide of Pottassiuin 

 in the bottom, and over all pour plaster of I'aiis 

 mixed with water to the consistency of thick 

 cream, let the bottle stand open for a few hours, 

 pouring off the superfluous water, then keep 

 tightly corked except when in actual use. Label 

 Poison. Bottles sjieeially jireparcd for this pur- 

 pose can be obtained of any dealer, and it is 

 better to buy them than run any risk in preparing. 

 Two bottles wide enough to hold the largest of 

 the Lepidoptera, say four inches deep with a 

 mouth \% inches in diameter, and a smaller one, 

 about the size of a morphine bottle, for the 

 smaller and more delicate ones. Also a wide- 

 mouthed bottle containing alcohol (60 per cent) 

 for beetles, spiders, larva?, &c. A few small vials 

 and pill boxes for insects which it is desirable to 

 keep separate from the rest by reason of their 

 having been found in some unexpected locality or 

 that arc wished for special examination at leisure. 

 Have a small bottle of ether or chloroform with 

 a camel's hair brush attached to the cork, for kill- 

 ing anything which is too large to put in the bottle. 



3d. Collecting Box. A box about 3}^x7 

 inches, lined with cork will 

 'usually be found sufficient; 

 but it is well to have one 

 larger, say 8x4x11 inches, 

 with shoulder strap, which 

 can be taken on trips which 

 are likely to be long or un- 

 f usually renumerative. In 

 either case one end should 

 contain a compartment with independent cover 

 for holding prepared insects. 



A pair of forceps, which can be selected from 

 the following stjsles, according to taste, and as ex- 

 peiience teaches. We have found Nos. 1, G and 7 

 to be the best in our hands. These are almost 

 indispensable for handling small moths, minute 

 beetles, spiders, bees and wasps. 



A trowel or strong knife, and in Winter a 

 hatchet for digging up larva', pupa? and subter- 

 raneous beetles, tearing oft' bark from dead trees, 

 and removing the homes of the Ijccs, wasps, &e , 

 for examination or preservation. 



A small pocket magnifying glass (see cut), a few 

 triangular envelopes for packing 

 away Lepidoptera which are to be 

 used for exchange or are to be 

 transported to anj' distance. A 

 good stock of pins of various sizes. 

 A small satchel, with strap for 

 swinging from the shoulder, for 

 holding various things, such as lunch, extra net, 

 vials, a box tor larva\ with their lood plant, 

 which are destined to be raised, ifcc, completes 

 the outfit. 



The decision as to the best thing to wear on a 

 collecting trip should be governed mainly by the 

 taste of the wearer. To one who does not fear 

 wet feet, we would say by all means wear shoes, 

 but wet feet are dangerous to some and uncom- 

 fortable to all, so that it is well to wear heavy 

 leather or rubber boots wherever the ground is 

 likely to be wet. Also a loose sack coat furnished 

 with as many pockets as place can be found for. 

 There cannot be too many. 



Now as to the actual work of collecting. There 

 is no time, day or night, Summer or Winter, 

 when the entomologist need be idle, for insects 

 arc about at all hours in warm weather, and those 

 things which can be taken at night can be found 

 at no other time. Li the Summer the woods and 



