In article <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] (Rebecca Patchett) writes: > Hello all. I am seeking advice.. What is the best way to store eggs in a > museum collection? What, specifically, has worked in your museums? Our eggs > are in need of protection. > > Rebecca Patchett > Curatorial Assistant > Metro Washington Park Zoo > [log in to unmask] Our eggs are currently stored in 2 ways, although we have a volunteer transferring them to one. The system we are leaving was to have each egg set on ground wood bits (I don't know the actual term for the stuff--it's gritty, not dust) in shallow, unlidded boxes. The boxes are generally deep enough that the eggs don't stick up above them, or do so only a little (in the case of larger species). The boxes are in our standard drawers in specimen cases. The only problem with this method is that the wood bits flatten out with any vibration, forming a flat surface on which the eggs roll. For that reason, we are transferring them to "nests" made of cotton. In the same boxes, we put down a layer of cotton, lay the eggs on, and pad all around each egg with more cotton. This keeps them from bumping the sides and each other. We then stick a small (about 3x5 cm) ID slip upright in the back of the box, with catalogue number, species, general locality, date, and collector. These slips look much like the labels on our skeleton boxes. The actual egg data slips (which are often much larger) are stored in envelopes in a separate cabinet. We have about 10,000 egg sets, nearly all collected the first half of this century. We've seen no problem with the cotton nests (some of which go back to the beginning of this institution), unless the cotton is allowed to stick up high enough to contact the underside of the next drawer. Then the cotton can be pulled when either drawer is pulled open, and this can disturb the eggs. Other than that, we're very happy with the system. Robin Panza [log in to unmask] Section of Birds Carnegie Museum of Natural History