Egg-Collecting and Its Object 



if built in a bush or on a branch, enough of the support ought to 

 remain with the nest to show by what method it was secured. 

 With ground nests that are placed in tufts of grass, the tuft should 

 be removed with the nest ; in the case of woodcock, ruffed grouse, 

 or any bird that forms its nest roughly of leaves, a wire hoop 

 covered loosely with muslin or wire gauze will answer the pur- 

 pose ; this can be slipped under the nest so that it need not be 

 disturbed. 



When the eggs are laid in a hole in a tree it is not always 

 feasible to cut down the tree or even the branch. Sometimes the 

 branch can be cut just below the nest (taking care not to cut 

 through the lower part of the nest itself), and then an opening can 

 be made in order to show the eggs and whatever there may be 

 in the way of a nest, leaving the original hole through which the 

 bird had entered. If the nest is taken before the eggs are laid, or 

 even when the bird has commenced sitting, during the early part 

 of the season, not much harm is done, as the bird immediately 

 begins building again. As the season advances it is better that 

 the nest should be left until after the departure of the young, al- 

 though then it is not in such good conditioucas before being used 

 — particularly if it happens to be the nest of the cuckoo, which 

 leaves its nest in a most filthy condition. 



The egg-collector's outfit comprises a few drills of various 

 sizes, a blow-pipe of either glass or metal (for home work those 

 made of glass are preferable, as they are easily cleaned, but for the 

 field metal is, of course, more serviceable), forceps of various sizes, 

 scissors, and an embryo-hook. 



When the eggs are fresh they are easily blown, and the hole 

 should be very small ; the blow-pipe may be used by holding it 

 near the hole and forcing air into the egg, thus emptying it of the 

 contents. By this method the hole need not be large if the egg is 

 fresh ; another way is to insert the end of the blow-pipe, when 

 the contents may be quickly blown out. 



The usual plan adopted by boys is to make two holes, one 

 very small and the other varying in size according to the condi- 

 tion of the egg ; this has the disadvantage of making two holes, 

 and when the egg isn't quite fresh, it takes a boy's stomach to 

 stand it. 



When the embryo has formed it is generally necessary to use 

 the embryo-hook and to make a large hole. Never try to take 



19 



