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§ IV. 
DESCRIPTION OF EGG-BLOWING IMPLEMENTS. 
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 represent “drills” for making neat and circular 
holes in the shell. These drills should be made of the best steel that 
can be procured, and of different sizes. Fig. 1 is meant for the 
smallest eggs, even Humming Birds’, up to those say of a Song Thrush 
(Turd us musicus ). The grooves forming the drilling surface should be 
cut with a chisel. Fig. 2 will suit the generality of eggs, excepting 
those of very large birds and sea-fowl, 
which usually lay eggs with a strong but 
soft shell. The grooves may be cut either 
with a chisel or a file, but if with the 
latter greater care will be requisite in its 
use. Fig. 3 is intended for the largest 
eggs, and even some of the smaller ones 
which have a chalky shell, such as Croto- 
pluiga. The grooves are cut with a file. 
In the manufacture of all these drills the 
greatest care is necessary that the grooves 
should lie parallel to one another, and that 
their edges should be smooth. The 
smaller the drill the more acute should be 
the angle it forms at the point. The drills 
may be fitted with handles or not accord- 
ing to fancy. Ihose with handles are ’ b 
less likely than the others to cramp the fingers of the performer, an 
inconvenience which often causes breakages. 
A separate sketch is given with the enlarged view's (figs. 2a, 2b) of 
the end of a drill,* in order to show more plainly the manner in which 
the grooves should be cut. 
Figs. 4 and 5 represent blow ? pipes for emptying eggs. They are 
best made of metal, and for this purpose nickel (or German silver) is 
preferable, as being less liable to rust. A collector should have two 
sizes, as a large pipe is not convenient for small eggs, and a small 
one causes loss of time in blowing large eggs. They should be 
* The great object to be attained is the formation of a circular hole with smooth 
edges. Collectors not having such a drill as is here recommended will find a common 
nail or a three-cornered needle a useful substitute, but either must be used with extreme 
care. A rat-tailed file sharpened to a point at the end is also an effective instrument, 
as I am kindly informed by the Rev. S. C. Malan, who prefers it to the drill recom¬ 
mended in the text. 
Fig. 3. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. 
