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.)