INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING BIRDS’ EGGS. 
BY WILLIAM WOOD, M.D. 
I wish to say a few words for the benefit of those engaged in 
collecting odlogical specimens. 
Twenty years ago, all eggs were blown with two holes—one at 
each end, and until within ten years most eggs have been emptied 
with two holes as above, or at the side. Very many of the eggs 
Which I now receive in my exchanges are similarly prepared. At 
the present time no experienced collector ever makes but one hole 
to remove the contents of the egg, using a blowpipe in some form 
to accomplish this object. The following rules should invariably 
he followed. 
Ist. Prepare your eggs neat and clean. There is no excuse for 
having a dirty set of eggs where water, soap, and a tooth brush 
fan be found. Some eggs will not bear washing, as the shell is so 
taleareous that the characteristic markings will wash away. There 
are, however, but few of this class, and I believe this peculiarity ~ 
's confined to the water-birds. You can see it in any of the spe- 
Ges (Smithsonian Catalogue) from 615 to 628 inclusive, and also 
m the eggs of the Grebes and Flamingo, and some others. Hav- 
ig Once seen it you will never mistake it for anything else. 
2d. Make but one hole, and that a small one in the middle of 
the ege—cover this hole, when the contents are removed and the 
Specimen is dry, with gold-beater skin or the paper number indi- 
cating the bird. Use an egg drill or a pointed wire of four or six 
Sides to make the opening. 
8d. If the blowpipe does not readily remove the contents of the 
» Inject water and shake the specimen thoroughly, then blow 
again, and repeat the operation until every particle of the egg is 
Temoved., 
“4th. If the smbryo is too far advanced to remove through a 
Moderate sized hole, blow out what you can of the liquid part and 
io the esg With water, wipe it dry and put it away in a covered 
* in some warm place, and every 24 or 48 hours shake it well 
remove what you can, and then refill with water. Re 
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