20 



THE BAY STATE OOLOGIST. 



Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Birds and Eggs. 



BY PROF. J. A. SINGLE Y T GIDDINGS, TEXAS. 



As many of the eggs sent me are poorly prepared and as this magazine may falJ 

 into the hands of some who are commencing a collection, I will give a few brief 

 instructions as to the right way of preparing specimens. An experience of ten 

 years (seven of them as a professional collector) will, I think, convince my readers 

 that I am qualified to give instructions. 



A few remarks as to the tools required, which can be bought from any dealer in 

 NTaturalists's supplies. Drills are the first requisite, and several sizes will be need- 

 ed, from 2-33 of an inch for all fresh eggs, up to % inch for eggs in which incu 

 bation is advanced. Larger drills can be had ; but who wants an egg with a half- 

 inch hole in it? There are two kinds of drills, the so-called "-fine-cut" drill, made 

 to sell, and a toothed or burr drill, made for work. I have all the different makes 

 and sizes of drills; but use altogether the 2-32, 4-32, 6-32 and 8-32 sizes of toothed 

 drills. They last a long time; do no not crack the egg and work fast. 



Next after drills, the most necessary thing is a blow-pipe ; different styles and 

 sizes of these are also to be had, from the fine nickeled one, with attachment, to 

 the common brass one, straight or curved. Any of these will do, provided you do 

 not insert the point of the pipe into the hole in the egg. The curved blowpipe 

 is the most convenient. Glass ones are not to be thought of, from their liability 

 to break. I have used a curved brass blowpipe, six inches in length, for several 

 years, and it is still as good as new. The original cost, was, I think, 20 cts., and 

 I've prepared about 1500 eggs with it. Other articles that are needed are an em- 

 bryo hook and a small pair of scissors. With such an outfit, anyone can prepare 

 eggs (the tools necessary for preserving birds will be given further on.) 



Various ways are recommended for draining or drying the eggs after blowing, 

 such as laying them, hole downward, on a bed of sand, cotton batting, blotting 

 paper, etc. I'll tell you of the "dryer" that I use, and how to make it. Take a 

 piece of cardboard of suitable size, (mine is 12x18 inches) draw lines across, length- 

 wise, 1-2 inches apart: now draw another set of lines, the same distance apart, and 

 at right angles to the first lines. Where the lines intersect, punch hoJes with a .32 

 calibre wad-cutter. Mount this perforated cardboard on a wooden frame, stretch- 

 ing it tight, (a few strips of wood nailed to the frame under the cardboard will 

 keep it from sagging) tack sides to the frame, projecting about two inches above 



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