Egg-collecting—Taking the Whole Clutch 221



AN EDITORIAL APPEAL


TO MEMBERS OF THE AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE


The Editor heartily thanks those members who from time to time

have written stating their appreciation of our Magazine. But if we

are to maintain our position, it must not depend on the generosity

of a few members only : everyone must contribute at least one article

every year. Remember that facts about “ common ” birds are as

useful and as gladly accepted as those dealing with rarities which

not more than a handful of us can ever hope to possess.


The housing and feeding, the breeding and rearing of all cage and

aviary birds must find a place in our Magazine if we are to be really

helpful to each other.


So please do your bit, and send along one paper at least ; fine writing

is not required.


E. F. C.



EGG-COLLECTING—TAKING THE WHOLE

CLUTCH


One of our members has written calling the attention of the

Avicultural Society to a notice in The Times of an exhibit by Mr.

Edgar P. Chance, of 130 glass-covered cabinets filled with eggs of

British birds. The collection represents 180 species out of the 200

which breed in the British Isles, and contains about 20,000 eggs.

Mr. Chance appropriates the whole clutch, not merely an egg or two

from each nest, as he believes that if less than the whole clutch is taken

the bird either deserts or else hatches the remaining eggs, thereby

reducing her normal brood. By taking the full number he contends

that the bird is merely caused to repeat, usually the same number,

and in a new nest, at an interval of from eight to eighteen days, according

to species. “ Thus a collection, even so large as this one,” he states,

“ is made without any reduction of our bird population.”


Mr. Chance also declares that he has made no attempt to take the

eggs of every British breeding species, and has declined opportunities



