THE AMERICAN OSPREY. 



NEST AND EGGS OF COOPER'S 

 HAWK. 



ARSENICAL SOAP. 

 Invented by Recoeur, Apothecary, Metz 



A nest of this species was found by me 

 about May 10, very late as they usually 

 breed here in April. The nest was placed 

 in the top of a tall chestnut tree ioo feet 

 from the ground, and measured about ih 

 by \\ feet outside, and 9 by 3 inches in- 

 side. It was composed of good sized 

 sticks loosely laid, with a very small and 

 shallow hollow on top, which was lined 

 with a few pieces of bark. The eggs were 

 four in number, of a bluish-white, spotted 

 and blotched with amber and red. The 

 marking varied a great deal ; one egg was 

 not marked at all while one was thickly 

 spotted. The set averaged 2 by 1.75. 



Falcon. 



THE SCARLET TANAGER. 

 ( Pyranga IhiLra.) 



This bird is one of the most beautiful of 

 our summer residents, arriving here in 

 May and leaving us again in October. 

 The male, especially, is very handsome, 

 his body and upper parts being bright 

 scarlet, while the tail and wings are jet 

 black. He is about eight inches long. 

 The female contents herself with plainer 

 colors and is not so attractive. The nest 

 is a very neat and tasty affair, being com- 

 posed of weed stalks and strings and 

 lined with fine stalks. One I have in my 

 collection measures 4x2 inches outside and 

 3x2 inches inside. The nest is usually 

 placed in forest trees, although I have 

 tound them in old orchards. The eggs 

 are four in number, of a greenish blue 

 spotted and blotched with reddish brown. 

 They average .90X.65. F. G. K., 



Thomaston, Conn. 



Arsenic, in powder,. ... 2 pounds. 



Camphor, 5 ounces. 



White Soap, 2 pounds. 



Salt of Tartar, 12 ounces. 



Powdered Lime, 4 ounces. 



The soap must be cut in small and very 

 thin slices, put into a crucible with a small 

 quantity of water, held over a gentle fire, 

 and frequently stirred with a wooden spat- 

 ular, or piece of wood of any kind. When 

 it is properly melted, the powdered lime 

 and salt of tarter must then be added and 

 thoroughly mixed. It must now be taken 

 off the fire, the arsenic added gently and 

 stirred. The camphor must be reduced to 

 a powder, by beating it in a mortar with a 

 little spirits of wine. The camphor must 

 then be added, and the composition well 

 mixed with a spatular while off the fire. 

 It may be again placed on the fire, to as- 

 sist in making the ingredients incorporate 

 thoroughly, but do not use much heat as 

 the camphor will very rapidly escape. It 

 may now be poured into glazed earthen 

 pots and allowed to cool, after which a 

 piece of paper should be placed over the 

 top and afterwards some sheep leather and 

 then set aside for use. The composition 

 is about the thickness of ordinary flour 

 paste. 



When it is necessary to use the soap, 

 put as much as will answer the purpose in 

 a dish and add to it about an equal propor- 

 tion of water. This is applied to the 

 skin or feathers with a bristle brush. 



N. B. — It should be kept as close as 

 possible and used with caution, as it is a 

 deadly poison. 



The proportions may be varied to suit 

 the quantity to be made. 



The downy woodpecker is about six in- Liquid glue is alwayi 

 ches long and a yearly resident with us. let. tor to have. 



hand; tor the col- 



