CABE OF A COLLECTION. 57 



it will be found convenient to have the drawers themselves labelled with the name of the 

 group within. A collection should always be methodically arranged ■"- preferably according to 

 some approved or supposed natural classification of birds ; this is also the readiest mode, since, 

 with some conspicuous exceptions, birds of the same natural group are approximately of the 

 same si^c. If I were desired to suggest proportions for a private cabinet of most general 

 eligibility, I should say four feet high, by three feet wide, by two feet deep, in the clear ; this 

 makes a portly yet not unwieldy looking object. It is wide enough for foldiug-doors, to be 

 secured by bolts at top and bottom, and lock ; not so high that the top drawer is not readily 

 inspected ; and of proportionate depth. Such a case will take seven drawers six inches deep 

 either of the fuU width, or in two series with a median partition ; these drawers will hold 

 anything up to an eagle or crane. A part of them at least should have a full complement of 

 such trays as I have described, -— say three or four tiers of the shallower trays, three trays to a 

 tier, each about two feet long by about a foot wide ; and one or two tiers of deeper trays. 



To Destroy Bugs. — In our present case prevention is not the best remedy, simply be- 

 cause it is not always practicable ; in spite of all mechanical precautions the bugs wUl get in. 

 We have, therefore, to see what will destroy them, or at least stop their ravages. It is a 

 general rule that any pungent aromatic odor is obnoxious to them, and that any very light 

 powdery substance restrains their movements by getting into the joints and breathing pores. 

 Both these qualities are secured in the ordinary "insect powdSr," to be had of • any leading 

 druggist. It should be lavishly strewn on and among the skins, and laid in the corners of the 

 drawers and trays. Thus employed it proves highly effective, and is on the whole the most 

 eligible substance to use when a collection is constantly handled. Camphor is a valuable agent. 

 Small fragments may be strewn about the drawers, or a lamp pinned in mosquito netting in a 

 comer. Benzine is also very useful. A small saucer full may be kept evaporating, or the 

 liquid may be sprinkled — even poured — directly over the skins ; it is very volatile and leaves 

 little or no stain. It is, however, obviously ineligible when a collection is in constant use. 

 My friend Mr. Allen informs me he has used sulphide of carbon With great success. The 

 objection to this agent is, that it is a stinking poison ; should be used in the open air, to 

 escape the ineffably disgusting and deleterious odors, and its employ is properly restricted to 

 cases for storage. When the bill or feet show they are attacked, further depredation may 

 be prevented by pencilling with a strong solution of corrosive sublimate ; a weaker solution, 

 one that leaves no white film, on drying, on a black feather, may even be brushed over the 

 whole plumage. Mr. Ridgway tells me that oil of bitter almonds is equally efficacious. But 

 remember that these poisons must be used with care. Specimens may be buried in coarse 

 refuse tobacco leaves. One or another of these lines of defence will commonly prove successful 

 in destroying or driving off mature insects, and even in stopping the ravages of the larvae ; 

 but I doubt that any such means will kill the "nits." With these we must deal otherwise; 

 and their destruction no less that that of their parents is assured, if we subject them to a high 

 temperature. Baking bird-skins is really the only process that can make us feel perfectly 

 safe. Infected specimens, along with suspected ones, should be subjected to a dry heat, from 

 212° F. up to any degree short of singeing the plumage. This is readily done by putting the 

 birds in a wooden tray in any oven — they must however be watched, unless you have special 

 contrivances for regulating the temperature. How long a time is required is probably not 

 ascertained with precision ; it will be well to bake for several hours. When the beetles and 

 larvse are found completely parched, it may be confidentiy believed that the unseen eggs are 

 out of the hatching way forever. 



Two Items. — One is, that arsenic helps to keep out the bugs, besides preventing decay 

 — a fact that should never be forgotten, and that should give sharper edge to my advice 



