THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 



GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 



From G. C. P., Auburn, Me.— Please tell me 

 what kiud of a looking bird the Great Crested 

 Flycatcher is, and what kind of an egg it lays? 



The Great Crested Flycatcher somewhat resem- 

 bles the Kingbird. We have not spacfi to give a 

 minnte description of the bird. In regard to its 

 nest, etc., "Wilson says: " He arrives in Pennsyl- 

 vania early in May, and builds his nest in a hol- 

 low tree deserted by the Bluebird or Woodpecker. 

 The materials of which this is formed are scanty, 

 and rather novel. One of these nests, now before 

 me, is formed of a little loose hay, feathers of the 

 guinea fowl, hog's bristles, pieces of cast-off 

 snakes' skins, and dogs' hair. Snake skins, with 

 this bird, appear to be an indispensable article, 

 for I have never yet found one of his nests with- 

 out this material forming a part of it. Whether 

 he surronnds^his nest with this by way of a terro- 

 rem, to prevent other birds or animals from enter- 

 ing; or whether it be that he finds its silky soft- 

 ness suitable for his young, is uncertain; the fact 

 however, is notorious. The female lays four eggs 

 of a dull cream color, thickly scratched with 

 purple lines of various tints, as if done with a 

 pen." 



Of the nests of this bird that have come under 

 our observation, all have invariably contained the 

 essential (?) snake skin. From a large series of 

 eggs, we find that the ground color is not always 

 of a " dull cream," as we have had several speci- 

 mens of which the ground color was lilac and 

 many which range between the two colors. 



NOMENCLATURE OF N. A. BIRDS, 



From J. D. H., Red Bank, N. J.— Will you 

 please tell me what the meaning is of the " No- 

 menclature of American Birds," as we see on your 

 price lists? What kind of a book is it? I received 

 your circular and think that a paper of that kind 

 would be very popular. 



The " Nomenclature of North American Birds" 

 is a 94 page pamphlet, published by the govern- 

 ment, under the direction of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution. It contains a catalogue of the Birds 

 contained in the IT, S. National Museum, with 

 other valuable matter. Most of our leading col- 

 lectors and dealers use numbers corresponding 

 with those used in this catalogue in making out 

 their lists and in marking their specimens. 



PARTRIDGE; SAPPTJCKER. 



From N. L. W., Tbumanpeueg. N. Y.— What 

 is the correct name of the bird commonly called 

 Partridge? Abo of the bird called Sapsucker? 

 The lattsr is a small bird that flies from tree to 

 tree pecking the bark. 



The Eufied Grouse is very commonly, but im- 

 properly, called Partridge; in fact, many of our 

 rural sportsmen, in Western New York at least, 

 know this bird by no other name. 



The Yellow-bellied, Hairy, and Downy Wood- 

 pcckcis are often called Sapsuckurs. 



PREPARING SKELETONS. 



From G. S., Delaware, O.— In collecting for 

 my museum I have often wanted the skf^letons of 

 animals but could never succeed in getting one. 

 Could you tell me how to prepare one? 



We have had no experience in preparing skele- 

 tons, but take the following from Man ton's Taxi- 

 dermy : 



"During the busy collecting season, rough 

 skeletons may be made by removing skin, viscera, 

 and as much muscle as possible, covering the 

 body with the arsenic-alum powder, and allow- 

 ing it to dry, when the specimen may be wrapped 

 in paper and laid away for future use. To pre- 

 pare skeletons for the cabinet, remove as much of 

 the fleshy part as possible, and boil the bones un- 

 til the remaining flesh is softened and can be 

 easily removed. Then boil in water in which a 

 piece of lime as large as a hen's egg has been dis- 

 solved. Remove, dry, and if necessary wire. 

 Skeletons should be mounted on wires fixed in 

 a wooden standard painted black." 



PACKING BOXES. 



From O. D., Philadelphia, pa.— Do you sell 

 the little tin boxes such as you sent the egg in, 

 if you do, will you let me know the price? 



We had our packing boxes made for our own 

 use, but should our friends desire any of them we 

 can supply them at the following rates : 



size. per doz. per hun. 



1 ounce, I1/2 by 1 inch, $ 12 $ 75 



2 " 1% " 114 " .... 16 95 



.S " 2I3 " iYs " 22 1 35 



4 " -2% " 21^ " .... 25 1 50 



5 " ^% " 2%'' 31 185 



6 " 2% " 3 " .... S7 2 25 



8 " 2% •' 4 " .... 45 2 70 



12 '-■ Z% " B% " .... 52 3 15 



16 " 3% " 4% •' 62 3 75 



Boxes will be sent by express or freight at pur- 

 chasers expense. Special rates on large orders. 

 We find that by the use of these boxes we save 

 enough from breakage and postage to more than 

 pay their entire cost. 



" WBSTKRN " BIRDS. 



From L C, Huron, Dak.— Is the Kingbird and 

 Meadow Lark, which we have here, the " West- 

 ern " Kingbird and Meadow Lark? 1 have some 

 e2gs of a bird which is like the Kingbird, only 

 the male ha? a yellow breast. What kiud of bird 

 is it ? 



The term " Western," as given to many of our 

 birds, usually applies to those west of the Rocky 

 Mountains. Possiblj' the Western Lark breeds 

 in Dakota. Will some Ornithologist, who knows, 

 please inform us-? The other bird you iuqnire 

 about is the Yellow-breasted Chat. 



CABINETS. 



From J. C. McL., Thayer, Kan.— Have you 

 any cabinets, or cases, or anything in which to 

 keep a collection? If you have no cases, please 

 name some good method to keep them. 



Parties having cabinets for sale should adver- 

 tise in The Young Oologist. We have had at 

 least a dozen inquiries for them during the past 

 week. 



