THE PRACTICAL NATURALIST. 
43 
drain on a piece of blotting-paper, or a tray of a suitable shape, 
after blowing the shell clean. 
Should the collector have any eggs which are hard set, he 
will not be able to blow them in the manner described above, 
hut will have to employ a different method to remove the 
contents. This will consist principally in making a larger hole 
than usual, and cutting out the embryo with a pair of slender 
scissors ; but, speaking in a candid manner, “ the game is not 
worth the candle, 1 ’ and whenever possible the collector will do 
well to use a little care and discrimination in taking his eggs. 
Hard-set eggs have a “ dead ” appearance, nearly always glossy 
with the constant sitting of the female bird, not so heavy as a 
fresh egg, and, in the case of all small birds, with about three 
or four exceptions, the eggs are opaque instead of being semi¬ 
transparent. I have heard that caustic potash dissolved in 
water will destroy all animal matter in an egg without injuring 
the shell, but as I have never tried it, cannot speak from 
experience. 
( To be concluded.) 
A SHELL HUNT AT THE WREN'S NEST. 
On Saturday afternoon, February 13th last, I paid a visit to 
the Wren's Nest Hill, near Dudley, for the purpose of collecting 
shells. This hill possesses the only bit of surface limestone of 
any importance anywhere near Birmingham—for several miles 
at least—and is consequently one of the best habitats for snails 
in this district. It is indeed a veritable shell heaven, although 
of course it cannot be compared to such a palace of mollusc life 
as Cheddar and some other places which I have visited in the 
South of England, 
The following is a list of the species which I encountered on 
this occasion, the majority of these being still in hibernation :—■ 
Vitrina pellucida , sparingly. 
Zonites cellarius , not uncommon. Z. allearius , not unfrequent; 
its presence may often be detected by the strong smell of garlic 
which it gives forth. Z. nitidulus , very abundant. I also found 
one specimen of a very light colour, in which the body whorl 
is very much swollen. Z. radiatulus , scarce. Z. purus, a few. 
Z. nitidus , not uncommon. Z. cr\stallinus ) abundant under moss. 
Z. pnrtts , a few (this heliciform shell ought, I consider, to be 
placed in a different genus). 
Helix aspersa , a few. H. nemoralis ) plentiful. H. hortensis, 
abundant; likewise the variety hitea. H. arbustorum , common 
in the hedge-rows and lanes. All the specimens occurring here 
