HINTS FOR ORNITHOLOGICAL TRAVELLERS. 
Cases which have to undergo a long sea voyage should be lined with 
tin ; and, when packed, the lid should he soldered down : this may 
prevent the accidental admission of sea water. If the tin lining is 
not available, the case should be closely made, and the joinings 
pasted up with strong paper on the inside, and pitched or painted 
over on the outside. In packing, each skin should be, if possible, 
wrapped in paper or such like material, particularly those whose 
plumage is easily soiled. They should be packed firmly ; for it 
must be recollected, that the jumble of travelling makes them settle 
down, and leaves an open space, which causes the specimens to he 
rubbed together. Any soft material is of use in packing the 
corners ; and if the box is large, it might be placed advantageously 
in thin layers to separate the specimens. In the want of some 
better packing material, moss, lichen, or fine lycopodiums, thoroughly 
dry, answer exceedingly well among paper-wrapped specimens, and 
have the advantage of being, when damped, useful to the botanist 
afterwards. Camphor or spices may be usefully put in before the 
case is shut up, but no oils or liquids should be put in a travelling 
cargo. The smaller sized eggs of birds may be packed with cotton, 
m moderately sized pasteboard boxes, which, being light, do no 
haim placed among the skins. Some of the stronger large eggs 
will travel quite safely, rolled in cotton, and placed in the cor- 
ners ; but if a sufficient number has been collected, particularly of 
sea fowl, they are best packed in a separate box, with sawdust, 
chopped hay, moss, or fern. Finally, the case should be carefully 
and distinctly addressed, and the name of the vessel, her captain or 
master, and port to wdiich she is sailing, should always be sent by 
post letters, with an invoice or receipts, to the person for whom the 
consignment is intended ; several instances having occurred, in our 
own experience, where cases could not be traced from the neglect of 
these precautions. 
In the present state of science, where more is required than an 
acquaintance with the external forms and characters only, it is very 
desirable that opportunities should be given to examine the internal 
structure and the skeleton. For this purpose, it is important that 
the skeleton or entire bird should be preserved or transmitted. 
Distinct forms and genera, particularly those not European, are the 
most important for study; next, species where some peculiarity of 
structure is known or supposed to exist. Among the number 
