

c d 
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A = yd OF A PET BIRD. | 309 
"The best form 6f atomizer is the long, plated, reversible 
tube; it should boli a gum elastic pipe, having 
two bulbs to secure uniformity in the current. The ato- 
mizing glass tubes and the bottle which usually accompany 
the apparatus are unnecessary: a common narrow-necke 
two ounce bottle will serve perfectly to hold the fluid. 
I trust that the use of the means here indicated may ren- 
der the preservation of insect collections less troublesome 
than heretofore, and thus increase the interest of amateurs 
Who frequently become disgusted with the science of ento- 
mology, by seeing the results of years of active and intelli- 
gent labor destroyed by a few months of inattention, or by 
carelessness in introducing infected specimens. 

A TRUE STORY OF A PET BIRD.* 
BY ROBERT RIDGEWAY. 

WHILE attached, during the past year, in Nevada, to the 
"s. Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, under 
Mr. Clarence King, I had a pet bird of the species known 
as the Arkansas Flycatcher (Tyrannus verticalis), which is 
closely related to the common Kingbird or Bee Martin in 
form, but differs in having the back olive gray, and the 
under parts yellow, except the throat, which is ashy. It is 
to be met with over the entire western portion of the United 
States, from the high plains west of the Missouri River to 
the Pacifie, and in the vicinity of settlements is well known 
to every one. 
Our pet, familiarly known to the party as “Chippy,” was 
obtained about the middle of July, from the Indians, who 
had just taken it with three others, all fully fledged, from 
the nest. We carried it to our camp near by, and fed it with 
uc o ene ee 

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