CORRESPONDENCE. 
was made which revealed a nest located between the axle box 
and the axle guard, the nest contained two eggs, one having 
been recently laid.” A short time ago a spotted crake 
(Gallinida pusilla) flew against the telegraph wires here and fell 
dead, this is a species we seldom see here. 
Hornchurch . A. Rowe. 
The Collecting of Birds 5 Eggs : Clutches or Singles ? 
In reply to W. N. Rusbeffis query in the November Natural¬ 
ists 5 Journal, I must deny the only advantage of clutch 
collecting is, “ the very slight one of seeing at a glance the num¬ 
ber of eggs laid.’ 5 A very strong argument in favour of clutch 
collecting is to be found in the fact that very few birds always 
lay exactly similar eggs, and indeed every eologist knows that 
the eggs of any one species vary in size and colouring to an 
almost unlimited extent, not only in different clutches but often 
in the same clutch. Thus, the tree-sparrow and many other 
species almost invariably lay one light, or sparingly marked 
egg in each clutch ; while other species, as some of the hawks, 
often lay in each clutch an egg which is smaller than all the 
others and with the markings collected around the small end 
instead of the large ; then again those birds that lay u spotted ” 
eggs very frequently produce, in the same clutch, eggs that vary 
from one that is marked with small and regular spots to one that 
is beautifully marked with bold blotches and splashes. These 
and other interesting peculiarities can only be preserved by 
taking the entire clutch of eggs ; and I think that if the col¬ 
lector wishes to profit much by his pursuit, he will be of necessity 
obliged to become a “ clutch collector,” although I certainly do 
not seek to uphold an unlimited or indiscriminate collecting in 
any way; and I think that one or two clutches would be quite 
sufficient for any collection. Perhaps it is not very generally 
known that if a nest of fresh eggs is taken, the bird will com¬ 
mence building again almost immediately ; while if only one or 
two of the eggs are taken the owner will not uncommonly 
desert the nest and commence building again—sometimes in 
the very next bush. I think it would be interesting to know 
the opinion of all your oological readers as to which system 
they favour. Oologist. 
Killing Reptiles for Preservation. 
Perhaps the easiest way is to immerse them head-first in 
spirits, with something heavy to keep them under the surface, 
this is merciful ; the cyanide bottle is perhaps the most merciful 
—put them in at sunset and leave them in all night. But why 
kill frogs, one of the most useful creatures in creation ? I shall 
be pleased to give any other information. 
Perpetuous Nature. 
