40 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTORS 



(a) Gut and crop contents. 



(b) Behaviour as observed prior to collection. 



(c) Evidence of moult, if any. 



Recording information 



The information in the first category must always be entered on the speci- 

 men label, but that in the third category and some from the second category 

 is often entered, with other field data on the species, in a separate field note- 

 book or on special data sheets. This method has the disadvantage that over 

 a period of time the labelled specimens and the field notebooks tend to 

 become separated and the latter may be lost. Unless a definite collection is 

 being made over a limited period and great care is taken to ensure that the 

 field data will accompany the specimen to the museum immediately it is 

 finished, it is better to use two labels for a single specimen and so ensure that 

 all the necessary data accompany the specimen itself. With skeletons and 

 whole specimens however the treatment for preservation and the subsequent 

 storage may mean that labels become damaged or illegible, and in the case of 

 such material it is best to duplicate the information on labels and in field 

 notebooks or on data sheets, and if circumstances allow the data for skins 

 should be duplicated in a similar manner. Where a journal or field notebook 

 or data sheet is used the collector's number must be used when referring to an 

 individual bird to ensure that the information can be related to the right 

 specimen. 



Labelling 



A standard museum label should be used where possible. Labels should 

 be made out and attached to specimens at the earliest possible opportunity 

 to avoid the accidental separation of specimens from the relevant data. 

 When writing the label have the threaded side always to the left so that both 

 sides can be examined with equal ease. Usually the essential, first category, 

 information is entered on one side and the additional, second category, 

 information on the other. Where several specimens, such as a bird together 

 with its nest and eggs, are taken simultaneously, the label of each should have 

 a reference to the others and the collector's number by which they can be 

 located. 



1. Labelling skins. If labels are not available they can be cut, about 

 1 X 3 ins. in size, from durable white paper, which should be fairly water- 

 resistant and capable of taking ink. One or two holes are punched in one 

 end about \ in. from the edge and a strong thread passed through with 

 which to tie it. The label should be tied to the legs of the specimen with a 

 firm knot that will not slip and with about an inch of thread between the bird 

 and the label so that the latter can be easily examined. The information 

 should be entered in waterproof ink or pencil, never in indelible pencil or 

 ball-point pen. 



2. Labelling skeletons. Skeletal specimens are labelled in a similar 

 manner to skins, but, as described in the text on preparation (p. 31), a num- 

 bered tag is used until the specimen has been properly dried, when it can be 

 labelled before it is wrapped. The numbered tag should be left on, and the 



