THE NIDIOLOGIST 



129 



Geological Survey of Canada. 



Alfred R. C. Selwyn, C.M.G., LL.D., F.R.S.. 



DEPUTY HEAD AND DIRECTOR. 



Mdsusu and Oinoits. Sussex Stkzet. Ottawa. 



7 ^U-a<^ aA.^ 



* / 



5 No. / Name, 



I Collector, (^J.-..JllaC4mr. 



I Locality C^a»jL....Q(<tiS:.. 



I Date 6//I/S±. . 



% Set Mark, .^ Incubation 



\ No. of Eggs in Set, ^ Identity, .,^<¥*r. 









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.^-s^^-z^ 2y%^^yy 'y^^i9-c-'!>'^ 



I Nest !(?. .?fJ.»T?./ji*> /^f^^ (ft^^^.....f>^..... 



I ant»LyA^.ci*uL.AckL ,-«ih:....«L cdCn^^ | 



"Sets" From "Singles." 



WE have lately come into possession of a 

 "set "of eggs of the Western Grebe, 

 collected for Walter Raine, which are 

 particularly interesting and valuable specimens, 

 considering the data, in Mr. Raine's well-known 

 chirography, and the accompanying letter from 

 Professor Macoun, the collectoj- of the alleged 

 "set." We present herewith a photographic 

 facsimile, somewhat reduced, of the data, also 

 of Professor Macoun's letter, in which it will 

 be seen he says the eggs of this Grebe, which he 

 collected for Mr. Raine, were "singles." The 

 reader may draw his own conclusions. 



We also present as an interesting part of this 

 photographic exhibit a clipping from Raine's latest 

 " bargain list:" 



In times past we have rejected many insinuations, 

 damaging to Mr. Raine's reputation as a collector, 

 for lack of proof. In the present case we have the 

 proof, and following our fearless policy in the in- 

 terest of the right we give it here in incontrovert- 

 ible form, for the instruction of collectors of 

 " sets " of eggs. 



It is but fair to state, and we take pleasure in 

 doing so (for it adds to the value of this authorita- 

 tive evidence), that Professor Macoun did not wiite 

 this letter for publication. 



The scientific value of a " set " of eggs consists in 

 its authenticity. Eggs from different nests are 

 " singles," and to sell them as "sets" is thorough- 

 ly unscrupulous and unworthy of an honest col- 

 lector. Past relations with Mr. Raine make this 

 publication painful to us, but as the organ of 

 students of birds, nests, and eggs, we will continue 

 to protect their interests at whatsoever cost, and 

 without "fear or favor." H. R. T. 



R. H. Beck writes: "That is a fine photo of 

 Great Horned Owl in February " Nid " — a fine 

 model to mount by. Your enterprise in the way of 

 illustrations is stirring up the rest of the ' O and 

 O' journals at a great rate. It is a regular bo- 

 nanza for the subscribers." 



The Golden Eagles have a hard time of it in the 

 Santa Clara Valley. A correspondent near San 

 Jose wrote earlier in the year: " Will try to get out 

 Saturday morn to look at nests at Alum Rock. I 



expect will investigate there about 2 p. M., 



but I shall try to precede him about eight hours." 



