Various

“ Each of the three eggs should be marked No. 10. By this method, the first number always representing the number of the set, the second the number of the species and the third the number of eggs in the set, mistakes are almost impossible. If he saw the bird he should write “seen” after the last item. If the bird was caught or shot, he can mention it instead of “seen.” The last two items explain themselves, and all these items except the first, must enter into the data of the set. It is not necessary to give materials of nest, except in the case of rare species. ”

“ The nest is composed of dead leaves and moss and very often cast-off snake-skin, invariably lined with some sort of animals’ hair.
The bird will not leave the nest after incubation commences, but will sit close while the entrance to the nest is being enlarged, and when a hand is inserted in the cavity will puff itself up, make a hissing noise and peck at the intruder. It has to be lifted off the nest before the eggs can be taken, thus making identification positive. ”

“ Never put the point of the blow-pipe inside of the egg, as a bursted egg will be the result, especially so, if your lungs are well developed. Having emptied the egg of its contents, the next step is to take a mouthful of water and inject it through the blow-pipe into the egg, rinsing it thoroughly. ”

“ Don’t bear on the drill, as if you were drilling in iron, if you do you’ll have a hole clear through both sides of the egg, something you don’t want. The hole, being drilled until the largest circumference of the burr passes inside of the egg, don’t try to pull it out, as a broken egg will be the result if you do. ”

“ Wings and tail like the upper parts. A specimen before me measures—length, 4.53 in.; extent, 7.02 in.; wing, 2.46; tail, 2.24. It is very close to P. atricapillus and should really be listed as a variety of that species.
This Chickadee is resident here, and is found chiefly in the timbered uplands, where its merry “Chick-a-dee-dee” is heard all the year round.
It commences nesting in March, and fresh eggs can be found until June (thus indicating that two or three broods are raised in a season.) It is a little more choice in its location for a nest than the Titmouse. ”

“ Now place the egg, hole downwards, directly over one of the holes on your dryer, and it will drain and dry in a few hours; continue in this way until you clean all your eggs, keeping each set to itself and adding another memorandum in your note-book opposite each set, as to the state of incubation of that set. When the eggs are dry, fill out a data for each set. These particulars are taken from your note-book. Suppose he (the collector) takes the first set, that of the Red-headed Woodpecker. He will fill out a blank as follows:
No. ”

“ Second.—A ” ” ” 4 ” ” ” ” ” Third.—A ” ” ” 4 ” ” ” Am. Long-eared Owl. Fourth and Fifth each a set of 6 eggs of the Purple Gallinule or a copy of Davies’ “Key” third edition. ANOTHER CHANCE.
To the first person answering the above offer by sending in their subscription and stating plainly that you wish to try for a prize, we will give a fine set of four eggs of the Prothonotary Warbler, or a set of four of the Black Snow-bird. To the fifth person, we will give a set of four eggs of the Blue Yellow-backed Warbler. To the tenth person, we will give a set of 2 eggs of the Red-tailed Hawk ”