490 NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 













CARBOLIC ÅCID FOR PRESERVING INSECTS, ETC.— During the present 
summer I have used as a preservative fluid, an alcoholic solution of car- 
bolic acid,—about four grains to the ounce. After meeps the insect 
with chloroform, which I prefer, I thoroughly paint it with this preserva- 
tive fluid and then dry it in the sun. During the past two ae I have 
had a number of insects thus prepared, mostly Lepidoptera, pinned to the 
wood-work in my office, thus freely exposed during a season which has 
been very favorable for their destruction, and they now look as fresh and 
ie 
satisfied that it is a sure protection p EE vation. In stuffing ani- 
think it necessary to skin them as EA, but npa remove the con- 
tents of the thorax and abdomen. Specimens prepared thus, a month ago, 
are now in good condition. —S. B. P P. Knox, M. D., Bers Pa. 
ALBINO Roxsry.—On the 19th of September, 1868, I shot at Marshall, 
‘Michigan, and preserved a specimen of sera mi oa atorius, which is 
nearly white. The wing quills and tail are a creamy 0 ite. The 
upper parts darker, inclining to ash, and the breast fee he parts lemon 
color, with the tips of the feathers white. Bill and feet bright ber 
eyes black. The general sateen z the bird when flying was W. 
Throat pure white. — D. Darwin HUGHE 
KINGFISHER’S NEsT AGAIN. —I examined two in Ohio; the entranoe t 
surface, the tube did not curve, but was so ovata that I could plainly 
see the nest, which was about twenty-eight inches from the mouth of the 
tube. The second was fully four feet deep, but straight as the other. I 
did not then notice the substance of the nest. The nests were somewhat 
higher than the mouths. Both cotati’ young, the first seven and 
second four.—P. G. Marcu, New York. 
E Cow-BUNTING.—It would, perhaps, be interesting to know how 
many of our birds the Cow-bunting chooses as foster parents to her 
young. During the present season I have known the eggs of this bird to 
be found in nests of the Sayornis fuscus (Common Pewe e), - morra i 
Acadicus (Green-crested Earn and Icteria viridis qa 
Chat), three species which I never knew to be imposed upou tokot 
is rather unusual for the enpeeifn to choose ah of the true Flycatcher 
in which to deposit its eggs, these birds frequently deserting ©” very 
slight provocation. oo 
I once found a nest of the Pyranga rubra epee Te with ae 
ic sitting upon two eggs of the Co w-bird. Onr ing to th I 
ag 


pe a the owner, - 
a realty surprised to find two young Cow-buntings in 4 flo z new 
condition, nag no sign of a Tanager’s egg. This was to me o 
the domestic affairs of birds, — one species building pi 
ite Goa peer the eggs. —T. H. Jackson, West Chester; 

