CABINET FOR SKINS. 109 
the smallest birds, a multiplicity of shallow drawers, accom- 
modating each one layer of specimens; it is better to have 
fewer deeper drawers, into which light shallow movable trays 
are fitted. These trays never need be of stuff over one-eighth 
or one-fourth thick, and may have stiff pasteboard bottoms 
glued or tacked on. They may vary from one-half inch to two 
inches in depth, but this dimension should always be some 
factor of the depth of the drawer, so that a certain number of 
trays may exactly fillit. They should be just as long as one 
transverse dimension of the drawer, and rather narrow, so that 
two or more are set side by side. Finally, though they may 
be of different depths, they should be of the same length and 
breadth, so as to be interchangeable. They may simply rest 
on top of each other, or slide on separate projections inside the 
drawer. Such trays are extremely .handy for holding partic- 
ular sets of species, to be carried to the study table without 
disturbing the rest of the collection. 
If a collection be so extensive that any particular specimen 
may not be readily hunted up it will be found convenient to 
have the drawers themselves labelled with the name of the 
eroup within. A collection should always be methodically 
arranged — preferably according to some approved or sup- 
posed natural classification of birds; this is also- the readiest 
mode, since, with some conspicuous exceptions birds of the 
same natural group are approximately of the same size. If I 
were desired to suggest proportions for a private cabinet of 
most general eligibility, I should say four feet high, by three 
feet wide, by two feet deep, in the clear; this makes a portly 
yet not unwieldy looking object. It is wide enough for fold- 
ing doors, to be secured by bolts at top and bottom, and lock ; 
not so high that the top drawer is not readily inspected; and 
of proportionate depth. Such a case will take seven drawers 
six inches deep either of the full width, or in two series with a 
median partition ; these drawers will hold anything up to an 
eagle or crane. A part of them at least should have a full 
complement of such trays asI have described — say three or 
four tiers of the shallower trays, three trays to a tier, each 
