Egg-Collecting and Its Object 



do not appear to be in any way different, the same bird selects 

 bushes. Notes of this kind are of interest ajid should be worth 

 the trouble of systematic investigation. 



Certain birds, such as the prairie horned lark, build several 

 nests during the season, the first nest being constructed in a much 

 more substantial manner than the second or third. This is prob- 

 ably owing to the change in the weather conditions. Early in the 

 season the ground is damp from the frequent rains, while later on 

 the ground becomes dryer and there is more protection from the 

 weeds and grasses which surround the nest. Such observations 

 as these soon lead one to realise that much more interesting in- 

 formation may be gathered by studying carefully, systematically, 

 and intelligently the habits of the birds, together with the peculiari- 

 ties of their nests and eggs, than by making collections of the 

 eggs themselves. 



In order to get a collection of eggs it is by no means always 

 necessary to destroy the nest, or even to cause the birds to aban- 

 don it ; that is, of course, unless you wish to have complete sets of 

 eggs, and this may fairly be said seldom to be essential for the 

 amateur or general student. 



If you are fortunate enough to find a nest before the eggs are 

 laid, watch for the first one. This should not be touched, but the 

 second may be taken and sometimes a third and fourth ; then 

 leave the nest alone, and in most cases the bird will lay the com- 

 plete complement. 



Care should be taken not to disturb the nest or frighten the 

 birds. In this way I have seen as many as six eggs taken from a 

 single nest, and four more were afterwards laid and hatched. 



Some birds are exceedingly shy and will desert their nests 

 upon small provocation, especially if they ■are disturbed while 

 building. Others, however, such as the golden-winged wood- 

 pecker and crested flycatcher, are difficult to -drive away. 



When eggs vary in size, shape, or colour, as those of most of 

 the sparrows, the bobolink, and many others, it is an advantage 

 to procure a fairly large number or series !of sets, showing as 

 many of the differences as possible ; this adds greatly to the interest 

 of a collection, particularly when the difference correlates with 

 locality and varied conditions. A well-arranged collection of bird's 

 nests, even without the eggs, is both picturesque and valuable. 

 They should as far as possible be left as the bird had placed them ; 



i8 



