48 the taxidermist's GETDE. 



CHAPTER III. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING BIRDS' EGGS AND NESTS. 



Few objects of Natural History are more interesting than the 

 nests of birds. To the reflecting naturalist, they open up a wide 

 field for inquiry. Speaking of the examination of birds, in the ex- 

 ercise of their mechanical arts of constructing nests, Professor 

 Rennie says : " This work is the business of their lives — the duty 

 which calls forth that wonderful ingenuity which no experience 

 can teach, and which no human skill can rival. The infinite vari- 

 ety of modes in which the nests of birds are constructed, and the 

 exquisite adaptation of the nest to the peculiar habits of the indi- 

 vidual, offer a subject of almost exhaustless interest." The num- 

 ber and variety of the eggs of birds are curious subjects of con- 

 templation, and should be carefully noted whenever opportunity 

 offers. They are as essential to the personal history of the species, 

 as any other part of our inquiries. 



The eggs are emptied of their contents by making a very small 

 hole at each end with a point. By blowing at one of the ends, the 

 contents will escape by the other, unless the young has been 

 already formed ; in which case a larger hole must be made in the 

 side of the egg^ and the contents removed with a small hook. 

 The hole should then be stopped up by pasting a little gold- 

 beater s leaf over it. The eggs are then either returned to their 

 nest, in which they ought to be cemented, or should be fixed 

 down by one side to cards, with the name and locality attached. 



The best manner of conveying loose eggs to a distance, is to 

 put some cotton at the bottom of the nest, and then another layer 

 above them. The nests should all be put in separate boxes, if pos- 

 sible, and so packed that the pressure of the lid may not injure the 

 eggs, or a box with several compartments should be used, taking 

 care that each is carefully marked. It would also be of conse- 

 quence to have the nests attached to the branches, with tlfosc 

 species which build on trees, which will enable us to trace the in- 

 genious means employed by those, little animals in constructing 

 their habitations. In sending home specimens from a foreign 

 country, the seams of the box should be covered by pitched cloth, 

 to protect them'f.oni the influence of moisture. 



