INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING, PREPARING, AND PRESERV- 

 ING BIRDS' EGGS AND NESTS. 



By Charles Bendire, 



Honorary Curator of the Depa7-tmcnt of Oology. 



In making a collection of nests and eggs, it -S of rhe utmost impor- 

 tance that the identification of all specimens taken should be absolutely 

 correct. The only sure way to accomplish this is to secure the parent at 

 the same time. This should at least be done with all the less known and 

 rarer birds, and continued until the collector is thoroughly familiar with 

 the breeding habits, nesting sites, and eggs of the species in questiou. 



Unless the would-be collector intends to make an especial study of 

 oology and has a higher aim than the mere desire to take and accu- 

 mulate as large a number of specimens as possible regardless of their 

 proper identification, he had better not begin at all, but leave the nests 

 and eggs of our birds alone and undisturbed. They already have too 

 many enemies to contend with, without adding the average egg- collec- 

 tor to the number. The mere accumulation of specimens is the least 

 important object of the true oologist. His principal aim should be to 

 make careful observations on the habits, call notes, song, the character 

 of the food, mode and length of incubation, and the actions of the species 

 generally from the beginning of the mating season to the time the young 

 are able to leave the nest. This period comprises the most interesting 

 and instructive part of the life history of our birds. 



Do not start in with the idea that because a certain species may be 

 common with you everything must consequently already be known 

 about it, and that your observations would be useless. Eest assured 

 that some new and interesting fact can still be learned by the observant 

 oologist about even our commonest birds. 



A small, thoroughly identified, well prepared, and neatly cared for 

 collection, even if oidy a local one, is worth far more scientifically and 

 *-n every other way than a more extensive one obtained by exchange or 

 purchase. One of the most important matters is the preparation of 

 the specimens. Eggs, when first taken and before blowing them, should 

 as far as practicable have all stains and dirt on the shells wiped or 

 washed ofiF. Care must be taken, however, not to scrub the shell too 

 much or too hard, as such treatment may result in breaking the speci- 

 men or injury to the coloring matter, which in many species is not 

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