HINTS 
FOR 
PREPARING AND TRANSMITTING ORNITHOLOGICAL SPECIMENS 
FROM 
FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Tj1e following remarks intended as a guide for any traveller or sports- 
man, to enable him to collect and observe, may not be deemed an in- 
appropriate introduction for “Contributions to Ornithology.” 
How many men, in all professions, often with time hanging heavy on 
their hands, are thrown into favourable opportunities for obtaining 
information ! Men who have the ability and even the inclination to 
work, but who want some direction; and when asked, on their return 
from abroad, Why did you not get this or that? reply, “We did 
not know how to prepare them:” or, “We thought them of no conse- 
quence. Write us out directions, and we shall procure them another 
time.” What opportunities are afforded to men in the army and 
navy : the latter, in particular, touching ever and anon at new 
lauds, and followed even in their sea courses by the denizens of the 
air ! In a well managed vessel, the surgeon has frequently much 
spare time ; and Iris superior officers, when they see an inquiring 
mind, generally are, and always ought to be, willing to lend assis- 
tance. Merchants also have ample opportunities, from trading 
with the natives of foreign countries, and often in the interior ; and 
lion many young men of fortune make extensive tours, where some 
study or pursuit to engage their minds would be most advantageous. 
