THE OOLOGIST'S EXCHANGE. 



Vol. 1. 



AUSTIN, ILL., JUNE, 1888. 



No. 6. 



A NEW METHOD. 



Some time ago we received a large con- 

 signment of eggs from the Pacific coast. 

 The novel way in which they were packed 

 attracted our attention, and as all were in 

 good condition we decided to give the 

 method a fair trial. 



After thoroughly testing it we can safe- 

 ly say there is no better method in use. 

 Out of the thousands of eggs we have 

 shipped, packed in this way during the 

 past three months, only five have been 

 broken, four of these being broken at one 

 time by the smashing of a cover. 



The method which is as follows, should 

 only be used in packing eggs from the 

 size of a Crow's, up. Take an ordinary 

 newspaper and cut it into sheets according 

 to the size of eggs you desire to pack, 6x8 

 does very well for eggs of the size of Her- 

 ons, Rails, or Crows. Taking the egg 

 place it on one corner of the sheet and 

 roll it up until one third of the sheet is in 

 use; then lap one of the ends over, roll up 

 another third, lap over the other end and 

 finish rolling. Continue this process un- 

 til each egg has undergone three wrap- 

 pings. 



If so desired the egg may be first wrapped 

 in a little cotton but we do not consider 

 this necessary. After your specimens 

 have been nicely rolled, they should be 

 packed rather loosely into whatever you 

 intend to ship them in. The paper being 

 stiffer than cotton will allow of the box 

 receiving rough handling without damage 

 to the eggs. 



We should like to have all you collect- 

 ors thoroughly test this method and report 

 as to what success you have. It is espec- 

 ially desirable when large quantities are 

 to be shipped. 



Send 15 cts. for a year's subscription. 



THE PUFFIN. 

 The Puffin never lays more than one 

 egg, unless the first may have been de- 

 stroyed or taken away; nor does it raise 

 more than a single young one in the 

 season. The time of incubation is proba- 

 bly from twenty-five to twenty-eight days, 

 although I have never been able to ascer- 

 tain the precise period. Both birds work 

 in digging the hole, using their bills and 

 feet; they also sit alternately on their egg, 

 although the female engages more indus- 

 triously in this occupation, while the male 

 labors harder at the burrow. The egg 

 is pure white when first deposited, but 

 soon becomes soiled by the earth, as no 

 nest is formed for its reception. When 

 boiled the white is of a livid-blue color. 

 The captain and myself were the only per- 

 sons of our party who tried to eat some. 

 The eggs are certainly very bad and are 

 never collected by "The Eggers." The 

 flesh of the birds is very dark, tough, and 

 so fishy as to be eatable only in cases of 

 great want. Two Italians who had come 

 to Labrador to purchase cod-fish, and 

 were short of provisions, fed upon Puffins 

 daily, to the great amusement of our 

 party. The fishermen at times when bait 

 is scarce along the coast, destroy a great 

 number of these birds, which they skin 

 like rabbits, and then cut the flesh into 

 shoes. — Birds of America. 



— The names of the winners of the Os- 

 trich egg and Climber prizes will be an- 

 nounced in our next. The articles are 

 now in the hands of the Critics. 



— The English Sparrow, which was rep- 

 resented in America in 1850 by only a few 

 families, is now scattered over an area of 

 885,000 square miles in the United States, 

 and 150,000 in Canada. 





