646 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



and, if found free from the attacks of insects, packed 

 with camphor in the boxes intended to receive 

 them. 



Long-necked birds are sometimes stowed with 

 the neck folded down beneath one wing, which 

 practice has been recommended by some ; but, if 

 possible, it should be avoided, as some of the feathers 

 dry in an unnatural position, which it is impossible 

 afterwards properly to rectify. 



Notes should be made of the colour of the irides 

 of the specimens procured, and of the bill and feet. 



The alimentary canal should be kept either dried 

 and inflated or preserved in spirits, or an accurate 

 sketch should be made. 



The sterna of the different birds skinned should 

 likewise be kept ; the mode of preparing which will 

 be given with the directions for bones and skeletons 

 for transportation. 



EEPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. 



The assistance of the inhabitants of the places 

 visited will, perhaps, be found of fully as much ser- 

 vice in this as in any branch of Zoology, not only in 

 obtaining specimens, but in furnishing native names, 

 and making known the haunts of different species, 

 many of which, especially some of the Amphibians, 

 lurk in obscure places, and thus might be overlooked 

 by the collector ; nor is this all, for information may 



