166 
FOURTEENTH REPORT. 
For Recording Data and for Field Studies. 
Note books and pencils. Field glasses. 
Labels. Camera and supplies. 
Code of colors. Tape line. 
The most satisfactory gun to use for extensive collecting is a 28 or 
44 gauge shot gun. For most specimens empty shells should be pur- 
chased, and loaded with small charges of powder and dust shot (No. 
14) as needed. The writer has discarded brass shells, preferring to 
buy primed paper shells and throw away the exploded ones. The exact 
load will depend upon the size of the animal, distance, etc., and is 
easily learned by experience. The large lizards (e. g\, iguanas) and 
turtles may be shot with full charges (1% dr. of powder and % oz. 
of No. G or 8 shot). A very effective gun for small specimens is a 
.22 caliber target pistol or rifle, bored smooth and shooting the .22 
caliber shot shell. A gun will be found necessary if a complete series 
of the forms in a region is desired, or in the obtaining of series of speci- 
mens of some species in a short time. 
There is no way of securing turtles and croc-odilians so conveniently 
as with a trap net. The funnel hoop nets, without wings, are very good 
for this purpose and may be had in various sizes. A double-throated 
net 2 feet in height and with a 1^4 inch mesh is a good size for general 
collecting. For small aquatic animals linen minnow dip nets, 20 inches 
deep, with a ^4-inch mesh at the top and a %-incli mesh at the bottom, 
attached to G foot handles are almost indispensable. 
One of the most convenient articles that can be added to the collec- 
tor's outfit is a series of cotton cloth bags of various sizes. These are 
for the reception of specimens in the field. As a rule, a bag 12 inches 
dee]) and 7 inches wide will be most often needed but a few larger sizes 
should be added, particularly if collecting is done in a country where 
species of large size abound. Tie strings may be sewed to the bags 
or draw strings may be provided, but the writer has found that, for 
several reasons, it is better to carry some short strings for the purpose. 
Long forceps may be used for a variety of purposes. They are often 
necessary to pick up venomous reptiles or wounded animals that can bite 
appreciably hard, or to pull specimens out of holes, from under thorny 
bushes, etc. They are also convenient for lifting specimens out of the 
preservative. For most purposes, the heavy forceps (Fig. lb) 300 nun. 
long that are designed for removing specimens from deep jars are the 
best, but where large specimens are handled, heavy placental forceps 
(Fig. la) are preferable as they cannot be twisted. 
Strong fish-hooks may be utilized in several ways. Straightened and 
fastened to a stick they will serve as spears for frogs or specimens that 
have taken refuge in crevices where they cannot be reached with the 
forceps. They are also very convenient if specimens are to be skinned, 
for they may be hung by a strong cord and used to suspend the body at 
a convenient height while the skin is being removed. 
Field glasses and a camera are valuable additions to the collector’s 
outfit, but not absolutely essential to the work. By means of the for- 
mer the habits of individuals may be studied more easily, and photo- 
graphs of the habitats of the different species are very desirable. 
