Part 2

The bird is known by the various names of fire-bird, golden robin, hang nest, etc., besides the one given above.

DEATH OF PROF. CHAS. LINDEN.

Correspondence by Ph. Heinsberger.

Prof. Charles Linden, instructor in natural history at the Buffalo High School, died in that city, of acute mania on Feb. 3.

Prof. Linden came to America from Breslau, Germany, twenty-five years ago as a sailor, and was engaged as a seaman on the great lakes when his knowledge of natural history became known and the charge of the collections of the Society of Natural Sciences was given him, after which he took his position in the High School.

The Society sent him abroad every summer, visiting in turn Brazil, where he secured many valuable birds, South America, Hayti, and the Southern States. In 1879, while exploring the coast of Labrador, he was shipwrecked and put ashore by a rescuing vessel. It was his custom to send everything new to him to the Harvard Museum. He was an authority on ornithology, and a writer of many valuable articles on that subject.

THE LARGEST OF ITS SPECIES

A HINT TO OUR GOVERNMENT.

The biggest American eagle in the United States roosts in the state house in this city. It is the property of Maj. E. J. Anderson, the state comptroller, and its roosting place is on an imitation rock in the window of his private office. The bird measures seven feet and eleven inches from tip to tip of its wings, and it is so tall that if it were alive and standing on the ground it could pick off a man's waistcoat buttons without getting on tiptoe. The profusion of little fluffy feathers on the under sides of the wings, the peculiar markings of the breast, and the depression in the top of the beak are evidences of the great age to which the bird had attained before it was killed. Those skilled in such matters estimate that it must have been at least 75 years old. It is a genuine Washington or American eagle, and probably its only rival in the country, dead or alive, is at the Smithsonian institute at Washington, but the specimen there is smaller.

The graceful yet powerful pose of this bird and the magnificent sweep of its wings show clearly how great a libel upon the bird of freedom is the atrocious figure that attempts to soar over the bundle of sticks on the back of the buzzard dollars of the present day. If the government will send an artist to Trenton it can obtain a model from which it can make a dollar that will not bring the blush of shame to the cheek of every American who has to spend it.

Maj. Anderson's eagle was shot in Hunterdon county, in this state. The bird is one of the most rare in the country, and it is scarcely ever even seen near the haunts of civilization. It is supposed that advanced age had made this bird unable to successfully pursue and capture the game of the wilderness, and that therefore it had ventured into settled regions for tamer prey. It was found near a farmer's barn, and the farmer filled it full of lead from a shotgun and a revolver without killing it, and finally captured it alive, having disabled it by wounds in the wing. It was taken to the village station, and lived there on exhibition a day or two before it died. It was then given to Maj. Anderson, who had it stuffed and mounted, and guards it now with the tenderness and pride of a young father. He has refused for it offers running well into the hundreds of dollars.--Trenton Cor. New York Sun.

OOLOGY.

LaHoyt, Henry Co., Ia., Mch. 10, '88. Messrs. Webster & Mead.

_Dear Sirs_:--March number of the H. O. and O. at hand, and must say it is a daisy. I am an oologist, and on January last I found a nest of the great horned owl, with two fresh eggs, which is the earliest I ever knew it to breed here. The nest was in an old snag, about ten feet from the ground. The owl could be plainly seen and I could almost see the eggs while standing on the ground. I had frequently noticed her on the snag, but thought she was roosting there through the day. At the time I found the nest, the snow was on an average of two feet deep. This is the second nest of this species that I have ever found.

Red-tailed hawks are plenty here. I found eight nests in one season; they nest here in February and June, raising two broods. They always use the same nests each year unless they are disturbed. I once found a nest in which they had only laid one egg, so I went away, leaving it until they had finished the set. I visited the nest four days afterward, but that egg was gone and they never used that nest again. I have never found a nest yet of the red-tailed hawk but what it was in a tall tree, and _always leaning_ over a ravine. They trouble the farmers' fowls a great deal, often killing the largest hens. I once set a steel trap by a hen which they had killed and next morning I had the male. Yours truly, James C. Jay.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROPERLY FORMING COLLECTIONS OF BIRDS' EGGS.

If the identification has been effected only by obtaining a good view of the birds, the fact should be stated thus: "Bird well seen," "Bird seen," or "Bd. sn.," as the case may be. For eggs not taken by the collector himself, but brought in by natives, or persons not having a knowledge of ornithology, the _local name_ or the _name applied by the finder_ should _only_ be used, unless indeed it requires interpretation, when the scientific name may be added, but _always within_ brackets thus: "Toogle-aiah (_Squatarole helvetica_);" the necessary particulars relating to the capture and identification being added. Eggs found by the collector, and _not_ identified by him, but the origin of which he has reason to think he knows, may be inscribed with the common English name of the species to which he refers them; or if it has no appellation, then the scientific name may be used, but in that case _always with a note of interrogation_ (?) after it, _or else_ the words "Not identified." If the collector prefers it, many of these particulars may be inscribed symbolically or in short-hand, but _never unless_ the system used has previously been agreed upon with persons at home, and it be known that they have a key to it. _Each specimen should bear an inscription_; those from the same nest may be inscribed; but different nests, especially of the same or nearly allied species, should never be so marked that confusion can possibly arise. It is desirable to mark temporarily with a _pencil_ each egg as it is obtained; but the permanent inscription, which should always be ink, should be deferred until after the egg has been emptied. The number terminating the inscription in all cases referring to the page of the collector's note-book, wherein full details may be found, and the words or letters preceding the number serving to distinguish between different collectors, no two of whom ought to employ the same. (The initial letter of the collector's name, prefixed to the number, will often be sufficient.)

PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS.

Eggs are emptied, with the least amount of trouble, at _one_ hole, which should be drilled in the _side_ with an instrument called the egg-drill. The hole should, of course, be proportioned to the size of the egg and the amount of incubation it has undergone. Eggs that are hard sat upon are more easily blown by being kept a few days, but the operation must not be deferred, too long, or they are apt to burst violently immediately upon being punctured, though this may be avoided by holding them under water while the first incision is made. The hole being drilled, the lining membrane should be cleared away from the orifice with a small penknife, by which means not only is the removal of the contents, but the subsequent cleansing of the specimen facilitated. The small end of a blowpipe should then be introduced, while the other extremity is applied to the mouth and blown through, _at first very gently_. If the embryo is found to be moderately developed, a stream of water should be introduced by means of a syringe, and the egg then gently shaken, after which the blowpipe may again be resorted to, until by the ultimate use of both instruments, aided by scissors, hooks, knives and forceps, the contents are completely emptied. After this the egg should be filled with water from the syringe, shaken, and blown out, which process is to be repeated until its interior is completely cleansed, when it should be laid upon a pad of blotting paper or fine cloth, with the hole downwards, its position on the pad or cloth being occasionally changed, until it is perfectly dry. During this time it should be kept as much as possible from the light, especially from the sunshine, as the colors are then more liable to fade than at any subsequent time. In the case of very small eggs, when fresh, the contents may be sucked out by means of a bulbed tube, and the interior afterwards rinsed but as before. It is always advisable, as far as possible, to avoid wetting the outside of the shell as the action of water is apt to remove the "bloom," affect the color, and in some cases alter the crystalization of the shell. Consequently dirt stains or dung spots should never be removed. While emptying the contents, it is well to hold the egg over a basin of water, to avoid breakage in case of its slipping from the fingers. Eggs that are very hard sat upon, of whatever size they may be, should be treated in the manner detailed in "Concluding Observations," in next issue, which is a method superior to any other known at present to the writer for preventing injury arising to them. Should the yolk of the egg be dried up, a small portion of _carbonate of soda_ may be introduced (but with great care that it does not touch the outer surface of the shell, in which case the color is likely to be affected) and then the egg filled with water from the syringe, and left to stand a few hours with the hole uppermost, after which the contents are found to be soluble and are easily removed by the blowpipe, assisted by one of the hooks. It is almost unnecessary to add, except for the benefit of beginners, that the manipulation of the different instruments requires extreme caution, but a few trials will give the collector the practice necessary for success. Those who may still prefer to blow eggs by means of _two_ holes are _particularly requested not to make them at the ends of the eggs, nor on opposite sides_, but on the same side. In this case the hole nearest the smaller end of the egg should be the smallest and the contents blown out at the other. If the holes are made at the _ends_ of the eggs, it not only very much injures their appearance as cabinet specimens, but also prevents their exact dimensions from being ascertained accurately; and if they are made at _opposite_ sides, the extent of the "show surface" is thereby lessened.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

THE HAWKEYE ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLOGIST

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY E. B. WEBSTER, F. D. MEAD. CRESCO, IOWA.

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO ORNITHOLOGY, KINDRED SUBJECTS, AND GEOLOGY.

TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.

Per year, 50 cents Per year to foreign countries, 65 cents single copies, 5 cents

Remittances for subscriptions must be made by postal note--stamps will be returned.

TERMS OF ADVERTISING.

1 line, 1 insertion, $ .10 1 inch, " 1.00 2 inches, " 1.75 ½ column, " 2.50 1 column, " 5.00 1 page, " 10.00

A large discount on standing ads. Special rates can sometimes be given.

General Agent.--Ph. Heinsberger, 181 Ludlow St., and 89 Delancy St., New York.

All books, periodicals, specimens, etc., sent us will be reviewed.

Correspondence and items of interest relating to the several departments solicited from all. All matter for publication must be in by the last of each month in order to insure insertion in the next number.

Entered at the postoffice at Cresco, Iowa, as second class matter.

NOTES.

A neat appearing monthly devoted chiefly to philately, hails us from Mexico, N. Y., under the somewhat peculiar name of "_Common Sense_;" F. A. Thomas, editor. "May it live long and prosper."

Mr. Oliver Davie has in preparation an article on the golden-crowned thrush, which we expect to publish in a month or so. This is, in his opinion, one of his best efforts, as the bird is an especial favorite with him.

We notice that the _Bay State Oologist_ appears in an improved though "condensed" form this month. Success.

Datas, 5x8, neatly printed, good paper, bound in lots of fifty, with flexible cardboard covers, 50 cents each in exchange.

The _Calmar Exchange_, published by our friend S. C. Scott, of Calmar, Iowa, comes to our table bright and fresh in its eight-page form and new dress. Those interested in the subjects of which it treats will find it an excellent paper at a small price.

Every person sending me 50 cents for one year's subscription to the Hawkeye Ornithologist and Oologist will receive free six varieties of rare Iowa minerals, labeled. Send postal note.

James C. Jay.

LaHoyt, Henry Co., Iowa.

Among other fine specimens recently received from Messrs. Schindler & Selover, of Lake City, Minn., was one of the large, showy eggs of the Egyptian vulture, collected in Spain, which they are selling at the very low price of $1.25 each. We can take pleasure in recommending this firm as being thoroughly reliable, and as their rates are so extremely low, we bespeak for them a most liberal patronage.

The last number of the _Collector's Illustrated Magazine_, published by E. M. Haight of Riverside, Calif., which, by the way, is our finest exchange, contains, among its many valuable articles, the first installment of a series on Vireos, by Wm. L. Kells, written in his customary interesting manner; also fine articles on "Natural History" by Chas. L. Mason; "Wonderful Mica" by J. J. Alton; and "The Cliff Dwellers of Southwestern Colorado."

Our readers will notice that in this issue we commence the publication of a valuable article on Conchology, by J. A. Singley of Giddings, Texas. If a person has a hobby, he generally rides it well; therefore we make no hesitancy in saying that Mr. Singley's article will prove of much value and interest to the conchological student.

HOW'S THIS?

We would respectfully call the attention of the _Bay State Oologist_ to the following:

Columbus, O., Nov. 17, 1888.

Webster & Mead,

_Gentlemen_:-- * * * * *

* * I have ---- copies left of the present edition (a copy of which I send you by to-day's mail) which you may have at ---- per cent off. * * *

Oliver Davie.

March 8, 1888.

Webster & Mead,

_Gentlemen_:-- * * * *

I note what Mr. Foote says in regard to my "Nests and Eggs." When I sent you the ---- copies they were all I had in stock--at least I thought so, for it was all I could find in the closet where I kept them. In turning over a large number of ornithological books for reference, I found a package of eight copies, one of which I sent Mr. Foote and quoted prices, but he did not take them and I sent them to Mr. Lattin who was entirely out of them and wanted them and 500 more if he could get them at once. Mr. Foote has not _purchased a single copy of the work from me. I now am entirely out until the third_ edition appears. I have notified Mr. Foote to that effect. * * *

Yours truly, Oliver Davie.

Mr. Foote's article, which you have probably all seen, was decidedly ungentlemanly, to say the least.

MIGRATION NOTES.

BERNADOTTE, ILLINOIS.

BY DR. W. S. STRODE.

NAME FIRST NO. NEXT WHEN SEEN SEEN SEEN COM.

Cedar Waxwing 2-3 2 B.-throated Bunting 2-5 7 2-13 Am. R.-legged Hawk 2-7 2 Red-tailed " 2-7 1 Mourning Dove[1] 2-11 1 Wild Geese 2-18 7 Bluebirds 2-19 23 3-5 Brown Creeper[2] 2-26 1 Ducks--on river 3-1 Robin 3-11 1 3-11 Killdeer 3-1 3 Ducks--Old Squaw 3-3 11 Flicker 3-3 1 Red-w. Blackbird 3-4 12 Meadow Lark 3-8 3 Cooper's Hawk 3-11 2 Pileated Woodpecker 3-14 2 Purple Grackle 3-15 7 Phoebe 3-18 1 3-19 Am. Sheldrake[3] 3-18 Sparrow Hawk 3-19 3 House Wren 3-19 2

[1]In company with a large number of Juncas and Song Sparrows; and near some straw sheds had probably been left during the fall migration.

[2]Found dead at foot of a tree, in very poor condition.

[3]Numerous on the river; a friend shot three.

Great-horned Owl--found first nest February 8, containing three eggs.

Red-tailed Hawk--took first eggs, 1/2, on March 3.

Crows--counted 206 flying northwest to roost eight miles away, on March 5; on the 17th found new and finished nest.

I have made no mention of our winter residents, such as Junco, B. C. Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Song Sparrow, Am. Goldfinch, Crows, Jays, Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Cardinals, etc., for scarcely a day of the period covered by this record has passed in which I have not observed more or less of all of them; and also have seen nearly every day, in my twenty to forty miles ride, more or less of some of the following more rare permanent residents: Great Horned, Barred and Screech owls, Am. Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks, Prairie Hens, Ruffed Grouse and Bobwhite, and occasionally a wild Turkey would cross my path.

CRESCO, IOWA.

Downy Woodpecker 2-23 1 3-4 Horned Lark 2-23 7 3-4 W.-breasted Nuthatch 3-5 Red Crossbill 3-2 1 Red-h. Woodpecker 3-3 1 Bluebird 3-15 1 3-18 Chipping Sparrow 3-15 2 3-16 Robin 3-16 2 3-17 Red-tailed Hawk 3-17 1 3-18 Pewee 3-17 1

MEDINA, N. Y.

BY N. F. POSSON.

Snow Bunting 1-1 Am. Robin 1-1 Black-c. Chickadee 1-4 White-b. Nuthatch 1-7 Brown Creeper 1-7 Downy Woodpecker 1-7 Hairy " 1-7 Red-h. " 1-7 Shore Lark 1-28 Gt. Northern Shrike 2-2 Bluebird 2-24 Pine Grosbeak 2-25

CHICAGO.

BY W. E. PRATT.

Am. Herring Gull[4] 2-4 20 2-5 2-4 Hooded Sheldrake 2-18 4 Red Crossbill 2-18 2 White-r. Shrike 2-18 1 Shore Lark 2-18 100 2-22 2-18 Bluebird 2-22 12[5] 2-23 Sparrow Hawk? 2-22 4 Red-tailed " 2-22 1

[4]A winter resident here when the lake (Michigan) is free of ice.

[5]All males.

The Red-breasted Sheldrake and Black-capped Chickadee, winter residents, were also observed.

Those interested in bird migration will, we hope, read our "Notes" with interest. We wish to thank those who forwarded reports for their aid; and would be pleased to receive reports from all. Those wishing to aid us in this department and sending us their address will have the necessary blanks sent them.

Our home reports are meager, owing to the extreme lateness of spring.

To secure insertion, the reports should be sent not later than the 15th of each month.

CONCHOLOGY.

For The Hawkeye O. and O. HOW TO COLLECT AND PREPARE CONCHOLOGICAL SPECIMENS.

BY J. A. SINGLEY.

The editors having given me permission to ride my "hobby," I intend to give brief but full instructions on the above as well as make a few remarks on matters connected with a collection. There are many collectors who can profit by what I write, but these notes are intended mainly for the class to which I belonged about 23 years ago, _i. e._: the young collector and the beginner. Had I had these instructions then it would have saved me many a false step aside from doing some things that, while not very serious mistakes, might be called "verdant."

I want, in the first place, to point out the advantages of collecting shells. Collecting can be done all the year round in many localities; and on the sea-shore there is no intermission. There is no climbing of trees as in egg collecting, and no danger of broken bones. Shells are not easily broken, are much handsomer than eggs; and, best of all, a shell always carries its name about with it, while you must take your correspondent's word for the egg. And tho' some oologists profess to be able to identify a species by the egg alone, I am bound to say that after several years of professional collecting in oology, that in the majority of cases a species can _not_ be determined from the eggs.

The first thing a collector thinks of when a species of any kind is obtained is the identifying or determination. The Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C., or the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia, Pa., will always determine specimens sent them for that purpose. In sending out specimens for naming be generous. Send all that you can spare--and perfect specimens too, as it is impossible to make a positive determination from weathered, worn or broken specimens. Don't ask that the specimens be returned to you, but present them to the institutions or individuals to whom you sent them for naming. Besides the institutions named above there are many of our prominent naturalists who make a specialty of conchology and will name any specimens sent to them for determination. One thing I wish to warn the beginner against is submitting his collections to an amateur and depending on his labeling. This was one of the "verdant" things of which I was guilty.

The beginner in land and freshwater shells will probably vote such a pursuit as "slow" when he first commences. After making a few exchanges and seeing the diversity of form, color, and sculpturing, he will become interested and begin making comparisons. He is then on the right road to knowledge, and as he adds species after species to his collection from land, river, or lake and sea, the hobby will grow on him and it will not be dropped when entering a business life as is the case with postage stamps and eggs, but the collection will be kept up and give many an hour's recreation when worried with the cares of life.

Another advantage of such a collection is that you don't offend those æsthetic people who are horrified at the idea of collecting birds and eggs and give us "fits" for "murdering" and "robbing" the poor birds. To tell the truth, after years of collecting and becoming "hardened" to it a guilty feeling sometimes comes over me when taking a set of eggs.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

MINERALOGY.

For The Hawkeye O. and O. THE SCIENTIST.

BY H. F. HEGNER, DECORAH, IOWA.