8. RECORDING INFORMATION AND LABELLING 39 



8. RECORDING INFORMATION AND LABELLING 



The importance of recording information and labelling the specimen 

 cannot be over-emphasized. However well the collector has done his work 

 a specimen without data may be almost useless for bird study and the time 

 and effort expended in collecting it will have been largely wasted. The more 

 complete the data the more valuable the specimens. This part of the process 

 should therefore be regarded as equal in importance to the actual collecting 

 and preparing of the specimen. The information collected and noted will 

 be similar for all types of material, but the way in which they are labelled 

 will differ according to the nature of the material. 



The information recorded 



Theoretically the amount of information that can be noted for any par- 

 ticular specimen is only limited by the time and space available for it. In 

 practice we recognise that this information varies in importance, some facts 

 being less essential than others, and we can subdivide it into three categories. 



1. Essential information. This information that must be entered on the 

 specimen label. It includes : 



(a) The collector's number for that particular specimen and the collector's 

 name (this will link the specimen with information recorded else- 

 where). 



(b) The date and time of collection. The date should be written in the 

 sequence day — month — year, and the month always written in 

 letters, not figures, to avoid possible confusion. 



(c) The locality, including the actual place where the bird was collected, 

 the division, county or state, and the country. If the locality is 

 relatively unknown the distance and direction from the nearest settle- 

 ment likely to be found on most maps should also be indicated. If 

 possible the approximate latitude and longitude should be given, and 

 also some indication of height above sea level, especially among 

 mountains or in areas where there are marked altitudinal changes in 

 vegetation. 



(d) The name of the species, if known (this may be left blank and filled 

 in after subsequent identification at the museum). 



(e) The sex of the bird as determined by dissection, the diagrams of the 

 sexual organs, and any information as to age (if known). 



2. Further important information. This is additional basic information 

 on the specimen. It includes: 



(a) The degree of pneumatization of the skull. 



(b) The colours of legs, eyes, bill, mouth, and any other bare skin, all 

 noted when the bird was first killed. 



(c) The weight, preferably in grams, if recorded (this should also be done 

 when the bird is first killed). 



(d) The habitat, with an indication of the particular part apparently 

 occupied by the bird, i.e. whether in low cover, or on bare branches, 

 or feeding in foliage canopy, etc. 



3. Additional information. This type of information is useful but may or 

 may not be included with the specimen on labels. It includes: 



