Birds. 



7103 



4. Description of Egg-hlowing Implements. 



Figs. 1, 2 and 3 represent "drills" for making neat and circular 

 holes in the shell. These drills should be made of the best steel that 

 can be procured, and of different sizes. Fig. 1 is meant for the 

 smallest eggs, even humming birds', up to those say of a song thrush 

 {Turdus musicus). The grooves forming the drilling surface should be 

 cut with a chisel. Fig. 2 will suit the generality of eggs, excepting 

 those of very large birds and sea-fowl, 

 which usually lay eggs with a strong but 

 soft shell. The grooves may be cut either 

 with a chisel or a file, but if with the 

 latter greater care will be requisite in its 

 use. Fig. 3 is intended for the largest 

 eggs, and even some of the smaller ones 

 which have a chalky shell, such as Croto- 

 phaga. The grooves are cut with a file. 

 In the manufacture of all these drills the 

 greatest care is necessary that the grooves 

 should lie parallel to one another, and that 

 their edges should be smooth. The 

 smaller the drill the more acute should be 

 the angle it forms at the point. The drills 

 may be fitted with handles or not accord- 

 ing to fancy. Those with handles are 

 less likely than the others to cramp the fingers of the performer, an 

 inconvenience which often causes breakages. 



A separate sketch is given with the enlarged views (figs. 2fl, 2b) of 

 the end of a drill,* in order to show more plainly the manner in which 

 the grooves should be cut. 



Figs. 4. and 5 represent blowpipes for emptying eggs. They are 

 best made of metal, and for this purpose nickel (or German silver) is 

 preferable, as being less liable to rust. A collector should have two 

 sizes, as a large pipe is not convenient for small eggs, and a small 

 one causes loss of time in blowing large eggs. They should be 



2a. 

 Figs. 1,2,3, full size. 



2a, ^h, enlarged. 



* The great object to be attained is the formation of a circular hole with snioolli 

 edges. Collectors not having such a drill as is here recommended will find a common 

 nail or a three-cornered needle a useful substitute, but either must be used with extreme 

 care. A rat-tailed file sharpened to a point at the end is also an efiTective instrument, 

 as I am kindly informed by the Rev. S. C. Malau, who prefers it to the drill recom- 

 mended in the text. 



XVIII. .S F 



