KEEPING EGGS AND NESTS. 105 
same depth— half an inch is a convenient depth for general 
purposes; and of assorted sizes, say from one inch by one and 
one-half inches up to three by six inches; it is convenient to 
have the dimensions regularly graduated by a constant factor 
of, say half an inch, so that the little boxes may be set side 
by side, either lengthwise or crosswise, without interference. 
Eggs may also be kept safely, advantageously, and with at- 
tractive effect, in the nests themselves, in which a fluff of 
cotton may be placed to steady them. When not too bulky, 
too loosely constructed, or of material unsuitable for preser- 
vation, nests should always be collected. Those that are very 
closely attached to twigs should not be torn off. Nests threat- 
ening to come to pieces, or too frail to be handled without 
‘injury, may be secured by sewing through and through with 
fine thread: indeed, this is an advisable precaution in most 
cases. Packing eggs for transportation requires much care, 
but the precautions to be taken are obvious. I will only 
remark that there is no safer way than to leave them in their 
own nests, each enwrapped in cotton, with which the whole 
cavity is to be lightly filled; the nests themselves being 
packed close enough to be perfectly steady. Single eggs may 
be safely mailed to any distance in auger-holes bored in wood. 
