also acquainted with those of their neighbours, which bv their actions 
they will often betray to the collector who may be patiently watching 
them. Birds, again, will occasionally lay their eggs—accidentally, as 
it were—in the nests of other species, even when they are not, as the 
Old World Cuckoos (Cueulus, Eudynamis and Oxylophus ) or the Cow 
Blackbird ( Molothrus pecoris), of a parasitic nature; thus, eggs of the 
Eider Duck ( Somnleria mollissima ) have been found in the nest of a 
Gull ( Larus ), and other similar cases are on record, in some of which, 
from the species being nearly allied, confusion might easily have arisen, 
though at the time no doubt may have occurred in the collector’s 
mind. 
It would be impossible in this paper to treat of the various methods 
which may be successfully employed to obtain the birds to whom a 
nest belongs, and, in fact, these methods can generally be only learned 
by experience. It is sufficient to indicate here the use of traps, snares, 
hingles or bird-lime, in cases where the individuals are too shy to 
admit of being shot by the gun or rifle. Much may often be gathered 
by the collector from the practice of the natives, especially if they be 
savages or half civilized. In like manner it would too much extend 
these suggestions to give a detailed account of the different ways in 
which the nests of birds are to be found. The experience of a single 
season is to most men worth a whole volume that might be written on 
the subject. Nevertheless, a few hints are given further on which 
might not occur to the beginner. 
§ III. 
AUTHENTICATION. 
The most complete method of authenticating eggs is that of writing 
in ink on their shells,* not only the name of the species to which 
each belongs, but also, as far as the space will admit, as many parti¬ 
culars relating to the amount of identification to which the specimen 
was subjected, the locality where, date when, and name of the person 
* A few possessors of egg-cabinets have a great aversion to specimens which have 
been written upon in the manner here recommended. With all deference to their 
example I cannot yield to what I am compelled to consider a prejudice, and a pre¬ 
judice which may indirectly lead to very mischievous consequences. The neat and 
ingeniously-prepared tickets or labels which are used by many persons arc not 
of themselves the slightest guarantee for the authenticity of the specimens to 
which they arc affixed, as the process of removal and substitution is one of the easiest 
imaginable. 
