370 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



IDENTIFICATION OF WILD DUCKS' DOWNS. 

 By J. A. Harvie-Brown, F.B.S.E., F.Z.S. 



I wish to refer back to old papers on this subject which 

 appeared in 'The Zoologist' and 'Ibis,' and as they seem to 

 have been forgotten, or are unknown to many of our younger 

 ornithologists, to ask if their reproduction in 1906 might not be 

 advisable ? 



For convenience, I place the two papers referred to in parallel 

 columns, with cross-references. 



Let me also recommend that all examinations and com- 

 parisons of " downs " be conducted as follows : — 



The downs should be cleared of all extraneous matter, such 

 as moss, blades of grasses, leaves, &c, which may have got mixed 

 with the downs. 



Any flank-feathers found in the nest should be carefully pre- 

 served and placed in a small envelope, and bear careful authen- 

 tication, same as the eggs and down of each " clutch." 



(a). The downs only of first nests should be collected, or, if of 

 first and second layings of the same species, must be kept in 

 separate boxes, &c. 



(b). Downs in bulk, after cleaning, should be placed with the 

 eggs of same " clutch " in square glass-topped boxes, and the 

 downs should be so disposed as to rise up close to the glass tops, 

 and present a uniform and smooth appearance. 



(c). The measurements of the eggs, carefully taken by oometer* 

 in millimetres, should be entered on a card or slip, and enclosed, 

 with full authentication, in the above-mentioned small square 

 envelopes, along with the flank-feathers (if any). The feathers 

 may be fixed in some convenient manner also to the card 

 or slip. 



(d). Separate sprays of down may in like manner be affixed, 



* The oorneter I have always used is one made by J. Buck, Newgate 

 Street, and Waterloo Eoad, Lambeth. 



