154 F. M. Chapman: 



groups of domesticated birds with their feral ancestors, while 

 cases of favourite cage-birds, birds of literature, etc., have a 

 popular interest. 



Birds' Nests. 



In order to appreciate the conditions encountered by the 

 avian architect, one must study a bird's nest where the bird 

 placed it. Nests, therefore, are shown most satisfactorily in 

 the groups previously mentioned, with their natural sur- 

 roundings. 



Synoptic exhibits may also be prepared, designed to show 

 the bird's skill as a weaver, mason, upholsterer, etc., the 

 nature of the materials used by birds in nest-building, and 

 the factors which govern the character of the nest. For 

 example, locality as it affords suitable material with varia- 

 tions incident to civilization (string substituted for fibres, 

 etc.), structure of the builder (Woodpeckers), character of 

 the young at birth, accompanied by examples of prsecocial 

 and altricial birds, etc. ; changes in site induced by civiliza- 

 tion may be illustrated by the Chimney Swift, Wren, Blue- 

 bird, etc. 



Birds' Eggs. 



In the writers' opinion, the educational value of a collection 

 of birds' eggs may be fully encompassed by a small synoptic 

 exhibit, such as is contained in the British Museum, in which 

 the number of eggs in a set, size, shape, texture of the shell, 

 variations, etc., are subjectively treated. Oology, however, is 

 so popular a phase of ornithology that more detailed exhibits 

 are required, and we may respond to the demand with a hope 

 that the study of birds' eggs may eventually lead to a study 

 of birds. 



Eggs may be exhibited in the nests or separately, those of 

 local species being given special attention ; but, in any event, 

 it is extremely desirable that they be accompanied by photo- 

 graphs from nature showing the nests in situ. 



Photographs. 



The camera has come to play so important a part in bird- 

 study, and the results obtained often depict so satisfactorily, 



