A full set of eggs is always desirable, if they can be obtained, but, as the old saying is, "A half-loaf is better than no bread." The contents may be removed by making a hole in the side of the egg with an egg drill, and sucking out the white and yolk with a glass blow-pipe, or by means of a little syringe with a bit of rubber tubing attached to the nozzle. If the young have already formed, a squarish-shaped hole may be made on one side, and the contents hooked out. The hole may be afterwards closed by pasting a bit of film or tissue paper over it. While drilling through the shell, the egg should be held over water, so that if dropped it may not be broken; or an arrangement made of wire resembling a pair of scissors, the ends terminating in a ring or oval, may be used. The ends are then covered with netting; thus forming a soft, yet strong, resting-place for the egg. (Fig. 5.)
The name of the specimen, together with size, date of collection and collector's name, should be written on the shell of each egg, and the entire hatch returned to the nest. It would be a good plan to give the eggs the same number as the parent bird, if this is obtained, together with a number of their own. You can then note them in your ornithological ledger, or, if you choose, you can keep an oölogical ledger separate.
Nests should be preserved, if possible, attached to the branch on which they were found. This stem should be from three to six inches long, and be attached by its base to a block standard. Or, nests may be placed in little glass trays, made of pieces of window-glass held together by strips of paper glued over the edges. If the nest is not cared for, or cannot be obtained, the eggs may be placed on cotton, in little boxes, and arranged in the cabinet to suit the collector. A very good and safe way of transporting eggs, is to place them between two layers of cotton in the nest, which must be packed closely, but without pressure.
GUM PASTE.
Gum Arabic, 4 ounces.
Corrosive Sublimate, 2 grains.
White Sugar Candy, 2 ounces.
Mix.
Melt, and label "Gum Paste, for closing the holes drilled in eggs," etc.