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mostly nest in colonies, and so to a certain extent protect each 
other. Petrels are dark and easily seen, but they nest in holes, 
and the male takes his turn on the nest, but the same fact 
applies to most sea birds. Gannets and Albatrosses nest in the 
open, and are conspicuous, but they are powerful birds, and also 
nest in colonies, and male and female both take their turn at 
sitting-. During the nesting season among the smaller Petrels 
the bird which is not sitting remains at sea during the day. safe 
from the attacks of Hawks, Crows, &c., and only returns to its 
companion after dusk, leaving again in the morning by day- 
I have only treated this interesting subject very briefly, as the 
protective colouring of eggs is a study in itself, as is that of the 
birds and their nests ; but enough, I think, has been said to 
show how that practically all through our birds the various kinds 
nest in surroundings which more or less harmonise with them 
in colour, that the outside of their nests also assimilates .with 
the branch or ground on which it is built, and that eggs which 
are laid on the ground are of the same general hue as their 
surroundings. Of course there are exceptions, but they are 
very few. It is to be hoped that this article may be the 
means of stimulating others to investigate the same subject, 
and to illustrate by photography instances seen, and, if 
possible, secure the nest and branch it is on for a local 
museum when the young have flown, so that others may be 
able to learn practically. In passing through the bush during 
the nesting season, how many nests are passed by undetected ! 
It is usually by our sitting still and watching the birds that they 
betray their homes, which otherwise we should have missed. 
Sometimes the nests are found by observing the bird flying off. 
Birds fly away from their homes when disturbed by human 
beings, but not so when a bird of prey passes over — they remain 
quietly where they are, apparently trusting to their colour to 
save them. On several occasions when peering about on the 
ground under a bush where I had seen a bird alight, such as a 
Nightjar, I have caught sight of its bright eye before I could 
make out the bird itself, and I have heard of other observers 
doing the same thing. 
Formalin as a Bird Preservative. — I have on hand 
several small birds injected with a 20 per cent, solution of 
formalin five months ago. They do not show an}^ signs of 
decay, but are only dried up, leaving the bodies rigid. With 
large birds success depends on their being dried quickly. These 
mummies, in many cases — such as for identification, &c. — are 
as useful as properly skinned specimens. — A. Mattingley. 
