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SOME HINTS ON NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, 279 
nest, he, asa rule, contents himself with taking the eggs it contains, and 
perhaps jotting down in his note-book a scanty description of the nest and 
its situation. The reason, no doubt, is that the formation of a collection of 
nests themselves is a formidable undertaking ; they are difficult to keep in 
a state that will retain their value, and take up alot more space than the 
ordinary field naturalist can afford them ; whereas those of many of the 
larger species, and of practically ali that make loosely constructed or under- 
_ ground nests, are almost impossible to preserve. At the same time it is to be 
hoped that we shall still find members who will help with work in this 
direction, and to those who may I wish strongly to recommend the assistance 
of a hand camera, Written descriptions of the materials, form and 
situation of nests can be enormously increased in value if supplemented by 
pictures of them taken while im situ; and now that the means for talking 
snap-shots is so simplified and brought to such perfection, every field natura- 
list should provide himself with one, Every one must naturally please 
himself of course as to the camera he selects, but, to those who have not 
already formed opinions, I can recommend the Eastman “ No. 4 Bullseye,” 
which takes pictures 5 by 4 inches. Besides being cheap (cost between 
£2 and £3) it is a great advantage to be able to change the spool of films 
in broad daylight. Films of course must be fresh, and I myself find the 
best plan is to send a postal order for 25s,to Lastman’s in London as fresh 
supplies are wanted; this covers the cost and postage of six spools of one 
dozen exposures each, 
The eggs of birds have always proved an attractive form of collection, 
and as a means of becoming acquainted with the birds themselves and 
their little ways, there is nothing to equal a ramble in search of their eggs, 
One cannot make a collection of eggs without making the acquaintance of 
the original owners, for the reason that it is all important to identify for 
certain who those owners are, otherwise the eggs are of no value what- 
ever, This, unfortunately, on many occasions can only be accomplished by 
the destruction of either or both of the parent birds, though, with many 
conspicuous species at any rate, patient watching with field-glass in hand for 
the reappearance of the birds will often enable them to be recognised beyond 
doubt. 
For the purposes of a scientific collection, the whole ‘ clutch’ of eggs laid 
for one brood should be collected and kept separate from others of the same 
Species. I feel that it is hardly necessary to describe the apparatus used for 
blowing eges, consisting of the drill to form a round hole and a blow-pipe, 
The eggs should of course invariably be blown with one small round hole in 
the middle of one side only, and besides care not to burst the egg with too 
great pressure of air, there are no difficulties, except when the egg contains a 
well-developed embryo, which we will come to presently. Having emptied 
the egg of its contents it is important to wash the inside quite clean by 
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