ORNITHOLOGICAL OBJECTS. 365 



preserved, otherwise they are constantly exposed to the 

 attacks of insects, as I know full well, having lost 

 several valuable eggs through neglecting these precau- 

 tions. 



Should your eggs be hard set, you will need no small 

 amount of care and trouble in blowing them, and I 

 should advise you to leave them, when you find them 

 thus, to their owners' care. However, rare specimens in 

 this condition are often obtained, and it is well to be 

 acquainted with some means by which the contents can 

 be removed. 



In the case of a hard set egg, I would advise you to 

 make the hole rather larger than usual, and then try 

 what you can remove with the blowpipe. Insert water 

 into the egg and shake well, and then again use your 

 blowpipe. Pieces of the embryo chick within you can 

 now easily remove with a large pin, the point turned in 

 the shape of a hook — a crochet needle, for the larger 

 eggs, answers the purpose admirably. And thus you 

 must proceed, removing the contents bit by bit, and not 

 forgetting to use plenty of water, occasionally stirring 

 the contents well with your hook, and in some instances 

 it is best to allow the egg to stand for a day or so with 

 a little water inside. By following these few simple in- 

 structions you may, with care, empty the worst eggs ; 

 but I must impress upon you the necessity of patience 

 and perseverance, coupled with no small amount of 

 tenderness in handling. 



In your collecting expeditions I would recommend 

 you to take with you a box and a quantity of cotton 

 wool, in which to pack your specimens. Take your 

 drill and blowpipe, too ; and always make it a practice, 

 as far as possible, to blow your eggs as soon as obtained : 

 you can finish them when you get home, according to 



