General Notes. 
191 
evidently in the neighborhood of their respective families, but the heat 
compelled us to desist from further investigations. In the same locality 
we found Spizella pusilla , Pocecetes gramineus, and Melospiza melodia, but 
the Buntings were present in at least equal numbers, as we heard the 
notes of other males besides the three we fully identified. But a fierce 
sun, with the glass at 90° in the shade, was not favorable to a full census 
of all the pairs inhabiting this remote region. We saw enough to satisfy 
us of its actual presence in considerable numbers. — T. M. Brewer, Bos- 
ton, Mass. 
A Hint to Egg-Collectors. — The usual method of emptying eggs 
through one small hole with a bent blow-pipe is doubtless supposed to be 
a very modern trick ; but it dates back to 1828, when M. Danger* pro- 
posed “a new method of preparing and preserving eggs for the cabinet,” 
which is substantially identical with the operation as now universally 
practised, though he used a three-edged needle to punch the hole, instead 
of our modern drill, and did not refer to some of our late ways of man- 
aging the embryos. I refer to the paper less as a matter of history than 
for the purpose of bringing to notice one of the tools which M. Danger 
recommends, and which I think would prove very useful indeed. In fact, 
I am rather surprised that it has been so long neglected, and strongly 
advise a trial of the instrument, as something better than fingers for 
holding the egg during drilling and blowing. The instrument is so sim- 
ple, that it will be understood without description by a glance at the 
accompanying figure. The oval rings are covered with some light fabric, 
like mosquito netting, and do not touch the egg, which is held lightly but 
securely in the netting. Such an instrument would cost but a trifle, and 
it seems worth ascertaining whether we may not avoid danger by Danger’s 
own method. — Elliott Coues, Washington, D. C. 
The Kentucky Warbler ( Oporornis formosus) at Sing Sing, N. Y. 
— At this place, in June, 1875, I found the nest, containing three fresh 
eggs, and secured the two old birds of this species.f The woods where 
they w.ere found is a long belt, w T hich lies on both sides of a stream which 
* Memoire sur une nouvelle methode de preparer et de rendre durables les 
collections d’ceufs destines aux cabinets d’histoire naturelle ; par M. F. P. 
Danger. Annales des Sciences Naturelles , D re ser. Y, 1828, pp. 338 - 348, pi. 10. 
t Am. Nat., Yol. IX, No. 10, October, 1875, p. 573. 
