7 
particular field. Where large numbers of specimens are available it may be 
necessary to choose, but a good rule is to preserve the first specimen of any 
species taken, as the collector may never get another of the same kind. A 
poor specimen is better than none, provided sufficient of the material is 
preserved to be identified and establish a record. Where it is absolutely 
necessary to discard some specimens because of lack of time to preserve 
them, a fair variety should be retained. Too close selection of “fine” or 
supposedly “typical” specimens may have a tendency to give a wrong 
impression of the average and may actually preserve abnormalities, a con- 
dition that often happened with the old school of collectors when a fine 
specimen of one male and of one female were the summit of the collector's 
ambition. 
If collections are made in different localities, never assume that 
specimens from different places are duplicates of each other until they have 
been carefully studied and compared. Locality records in many cases are 
as important as species records. Many species vary under different 
geographic conditions and it is often difficult to detect the variation until 
the specimens are compared in the museum. A field mouse taken in Ontario 
may be the same as one taken in Manitoba, or may be of a different race, 
or an intergrade between two different forms; at any rate the possession 
of specimens is essential to determine the range accurately. In mountainous 
regions different races may be found at different altitudes only a few miles 
from each other. Do not neglect inconspicuous forms of life. The 
more showy and prevalent forms are apt to have been collected before, 
whereas the small and obscure specimens are more apt to be unknown. 
Save specimens in different seasons if possible. Most mammals have 
different coats in summer and winter, the colour varying from dark brown 
to pure white, or the differences may consist only in length and thickness of 
hair. Intermediate stages are of value to show the condition of bleach- 
ing, or shedding of hair at different seasons. Specimens in worn and ragged 
coat may not be beautiful, but they may truthfully represent a stage in 
the life of the species. Also, a specimen may be taken largely on account 
of its skull or skeletal characters, and the skin, even if poor, may be a 
valuable check in the identification. Specimens of both sexes and of 
different ages or stages of development are desirable. The old idea of one 
male and one female being sufficient to represent a species in a museum 
has long been obsolete. Only a limited number of museum specimens are 
mounted for exhibition purposes and usually for such purposes perfect or 
“typical” specimens are selected, but other specimens are equally neces- 
sary for scientific study. As mounted specimens are apt to fade and 
deteriorate when exposed to light, additional specimens must be kept in 
reserve where natural conditions may be retained. 
CARE OF SPECIMENS IN THE FIELD 
Skins should be cleaned of all noticeable grease and adherent flesh, if 
possible. Sheets or chunks of flesh on a skin will prevent it from drying 
or prevent preservative from striking in. In a stuffed skin, even if the 
skin becomes cured, the flesh or fascia will contract and distort its shape. 
If the skins can be rushed to the taxidermist’s shop or laboratory within a 
few days they may be heavily salted without thorough cleaning. 
