n. 



SPECIMENS. 



Upon every egg, as soon as taken, and upon the 

 nest also, should be put a temporary number, in soft 

 lead pencil, referring to your Field-book, which 

 never, never, be without. This will save any con- 

 fusion from forgetfulness, or any other cause, of 

 which there is always danger ; when you get home 

 your notes can be transferred in proper shape to 

 your Ledger, the pencil^mark washed off from the 

 egg, and permanent marks put in its place. 



The field-record, made on the spot, before another 

 nest is collected, is of the greatest importance. It 

 is not safe to trust for an hour to memory alone. 



I ought to caution the beginner, however, that he 

 must erase pencil-marks, or otherwise touch the 

 surface of an egg, only when absolutely needful and 

 then with the utmost care ; since there are few eggs 

 that will not suffer great harm by any such treat- 

 ment. 



The next thing is the proper preparation of your 



(35) 



