•; 



THE OOLOGIST'S JOURNAL. 



course), viz : on the ground, on the 

 limbs of trees, and in cavities; and 

 for this reason, the young collector 

 must keep his eyes open while in the 

 woods if he wishes to be anything 

 like successful. 



Some nests are found in very diffi- 

 cult places to reach, and you will 

 have to devise means to suit the oc- 

 casion, as no particular plan can be 

 laid down to suit every instance. 



About the best way I know of for 

 obtaining nests situated out on slen- 

 der limbs, is the following simple 

 apparatus. Procure a jointed fishing 

 rod with ferules for convenience in 

 carrying, and make a fork out of 

 stout wire of two or three prongs, 

 five or six inches long, fasten in the 

 small end of the rod, and the outfit 

 is completed. With this simple con- 

 trivance, I can generally secure any 

 nest situated on the end of a slender 

 limb, without endangering my own 

 life, or running the risk of breaking 

 the eggs. 



When you prepare the eggs for 

 keeping, empty then of their con- 

 tents by drilling one smooth hole in 

 the least showy side. Place the 

 blowpipe near the hole — in large 

 eggs, the tip end of the blowpipe 

 can be inserted without fear of burst- 

 ing — and blow steadily, and the con- 

 tents will gradually ooze out. I have 

 never found it necessary to rinse 

 fresh eggs less than a Robin's in size, 

 but all incubated eggs, however 

 small, should be thoroughly rinsed 

 out before putting in a place to dry. 

 The best dryer I have used, is a 

 piece of blotting paper or a soft 

 piece of cloth. The eggs should be 

 placed, hole downward on this until 

 dry inside and out. If, on removing 

 them, any should adhere to the dry- 

 er, do not try the strength of the 

 shell by pulling them off, but damp- 

 en them until the glue softens. 

 (to be continued.) 



THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 



(Icterus galbula.) 



CONTINUED FROM LAST MONTH. 



This nest I did not take after the 

 young had left, as I could not get at 

 it without destroying the shape of 

 the tree. Iu a few instances that I 

 am positive of, I know that the same 

 pair of birds have occupied the same 

 for years, and I have frequently 

 watched a pair of them rebuild their 

 old nest when its condition permitted. 



The eggs are of a pale, bluish- 

 white, with irregular lines, scrawls, 

 and blotches, of various shades of 

 brown, sometimes black, with deej} 

 shell markings of a purplish tint, 

 mostly about the larger end, but 

 again they are scattered more or less 

 over the entire surface of the shell. 

 The number of eggs laid is usually 

 five, and vary as much in size and 

 shape, as they do in the clutch. 



I have one set of five eggs that are 

 short and elliptical, and another set 

 of four that are greatly elongated 

 and blunt at both ends. In looking 

 over a few single specimens, I notice 

 a great variation in all. 



The yolk when blown from a fresh 

 egg, is generally a deep, rich orange 

 color, which gives it a decided pink- 

 ish cast before being blown. 



It may be of interest to some to 

 know how I secured my nests, and 

 I can recommend to them, the follow- 

 ing mode: Take a long reed fish- 

 pole, and securely fasten a large, 

 strong wire snare to the tip, ascend 

 the tree to a level with the nest, 

 place the loop of the snare over the 

 nest and well up on the branches, 

 and draw the whole thing gently 

 toward you. 



Suggestions etc., welcomed from 

 all. 



"Ye Editor." 



