150 
OOLOGY. 
LTHOUGH the study of oology is now being pursued 
by so many, there are still those to whom a few hints 
on the subject would not come amiss. It is for these 
that I now pen a few remarks on the collection and 
preservation of these most pleasing tokens of the life which 
surrounds us. To begin with, the bird should, if possible, be 
identified when first seen, as too frequent journeys to a nest are 
apt to cause the owners to forsake their home. When identified, 
one egg — it is cruel to take more — should be taken, wrapped in 
cotton-wool and placed in a box, so as to ensure its safe carriage 
home. It is a very bad practice to blow eggs at the nest, as it 
cannot be so carefully and neatly executed as when done at 
leisure, though when blown they are safer to carry. The nest 
should now be examined and fully described in the recording 
book. When the day is over it is best to blow the eggs as soon 
as possible, and to do this properly I would recommend the 
following as the best method. First of all, if the egg is dirty it 
may be gently washed with a small soft paint brush, being 
careful not to obliterate the delicate markings. It must now be 
decided upon which side is the most characteristic, and on the 
opposite one a small hole must be pierced with a needle ; in this 
hole a suitably sized drill is introduced, which, if rapidly turned 
with little pressure, will produce a neat, round hole. During 
this and the preceding operations the egg should be held over a 
basin containing a saturated solution of salt, so as to preserve it 
from breakage should it chance to fall. Turn the egg, hole 
downwards, and steadily blow into it through a glass blowpipe, 
taking care to keep the point just clear of the egg, as both egg 
and pipe may be smashed if this is not attended to. When the 
shell is empty it should be washed out with cold water till clean, 
when it may be dried by placing it, hole downwards, on blotting 
paper. It should be drained in some dark place, as the light 
causes it to fade. When quite dry, each egg, accompanied by 
such a statement as would lead to its identification if such were 
not known, should be placed in its division in the cabinet, which 
should not be opened more than is necessary. In order to 
preserve specimens as much as possible from the “ insect pest,” 
a supply of camphor, or naphthaline, should be freely sprinkled 
in the drawers. 
Much more might be said on this interesting subject, but 
enough has been said to enable a beginner to preserve his 
specimens on more scientific lines than formerly. 
F. W. L. 
