By a "Rage" Collector is meant one who is suddenly seized with the idea
that he is deeply interested in oology, and must get together a
collection of eggs as soon as possible. Some are inspired by reading
oological papers, others become interested by associating with those who
are at the height of excitement.
A great many persons are seized with a greater or less desire to collect
stamps, coins, etc. These can be identified at any time, but eggs
cannot.
A true oologist collects with a scientific purpose, actuated by a true
love of nature, and an egg is of no value to him unless its identity is
certain. Some collectors have a large collection, but know little or
nothing about the parent birds. This would not be the case if they
really cared for the eggs, but they simply keep them to gaze upon in
blank admiration and boast that they have so many more eggs than some
one else who may or may not collect with real interest.
I have on my tongue's end the names of at least two dozen collectors of
this class, those that collect merely for the number of eggs. These
collectors can truly be called "Great American Egg Hogs." Unrefined as
this expression is, nevertheless it is to the point.
This class of collectors number many hundred throughout the United
States and Canada. The excuse is "that egg collecting is a healthful and
innocent pastime." Healthful it is, if one collects the eggs himself
(which is not the case with the majority) but as to the innocence, that
is due to the fact that it is not taken under a full view, and as long
as it is healthful and no serious results are immediately visible, it is
taken for granted to be innocent. This is a matter which the American
Ornithologist's Union is acting upon, and appeals to the true oologists,
for their assistance in discouraging these "naturalists"(?) in their
wild career.--_Milwaukee Naturalist._