Birds, 7101 



that it was not the nest which he wanted ; but a less experienced man 

 would doubtless have immediately concluded that he had found the 

 eggs of the rarer species. Indeed it may, generally speaking, be said 

 of most birds that whenever they have nests of their own they are 

 also acquainted with those of their neighbours, which by their actions 

 they will often betray to the collector who may be patiently watching 

 them. Birds, again, will occasionally lay their eggs — accidentally, as 

 it were — in the nests of other species, even when they are not, as the 

 Old World cuckoos {Cuculus, Eudynamis and Oxylophus) or the cow 

 blackbird (Molothrus Pecoris), of a parasitic nature; thus, eggs of the 

 eider duck {Somateria mollissima) have been found in the nest of a 

 gull (Larus), and other similar cases are on record, in some of which, 

 from the species being nearly allied, confusion might easily have arisen, 

 though at the time no doubt may have occurred in the collector's 

 mind. 



It would be impossible in this paper to treat of the various methods 

 which may be successfully employed to obtain the birds to whom a 

 nest belongs, and, in fact, these methods can generally be only learned 

 by experience. It is sufficient to indicate here the use of traps, snares, 

 hingles or bird-lime, in cases where the individuals are too shy to 

 admit of being shot by the gun or rifle. Much may often be gathered 

 by the collector from the practice of the natives, especially if they be 

 savages or half civilized. In like manner it would too much extend 

 these suggestions to give a detailed account of the different ways in 

 which the nests of birds are to be found. The experience of a single 

 season is to most men worth a whole volume that might be written on 

 the subject. Nevertheless, a few hints are given further on, which 

 might not occur to the beginner. 



3. Authentication. 



The most complete method of authenticating eggs is that of writing 

 in ink on their shells,* not only the name of the species to which 

 each belongs, but also, as far as the space will admit, as many parti- 



* A few possessors of egg-cabinets have a great aversion to specimens which have 

 been written upon in the manner here recommended. With all deference to their 

 example I cannot yield to what I am compelled to consider a prejudice, and a pre- 

 judice which may indirectly lead to very mischievous consequences. The neat and 

 ingeniously-prepared tickets or labels which are used by many persons are not 

 of themselves the slightest guarantee for the authenticity of the specimens to 

 which they are affixed, as the process of removal and substitution is one of the easiest 

 iraaKinahle. 



