[NHCOLL-L:456] RE: bird egg display

[Thomas E. Labedz]

If the eggs themselves are the display and not nests or other diorama features
why not just display them in a soft plastic container and secure the container
to whatever substrate you desire.  What I have in mind are the small
rectangular vials (flexible containers) made by Durphy Packaging company
http://www.durphypkg.com/    I use these to store single eggs in the regular
collections.  A little pad of cotton on the bottom and a little pad under the
lid and the egg is secure.  I use the 1-1/8"-sided size for eggs up to that of
Least Tern and Piping Plover.  Nearly all passerine eggs would fit and they
have a 3/4"-sided size for smaller items, or eggs.  You could skip the padding
and place the egg(s) directly inside for best visibility.  Having the egg(s)
encased also keeps dust from collecting on them and having to remove the dust
later.
    Thomas Labedz
    Collections Manager - Division of Zoology
    University of Nebraska State Museum

Bob Glotzhober wrote:

> The eggs in nests should be safe enough as is.  For the others, if you have
> a small depression or tray, fill it partway with fine sand and set the eggs
> in that sand. The sand will form around the base of the egg and keep it from
> rolling, as well as to provide some minor cushion for it.
>
> =====================================================
> Robert C. Glotzhober
> Curator, Natural History
> Ohio Historical Society         Phone:  614/ 297-2633
> 1982 Velma Avenue                       Fax:      614/ 297-2628
> Columbus, Ohio  43211-2497              e-mail:
> bglotzhober at ohiohistory.org
>
> Visit the Web Site for the Ohio Historical Society.
>         http://www.ohiohistory.org/
> Visit the Web Site for the Ohio Odonata (Dragonfly) Survey (project
> coordinator & newsletter editor).
>         http://mcnet.marietta.edu/~odonata/index.html
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Tamar Danufsky [SMTP:td6 at humboldt.edu]
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 7:59 PM
> > To:   NHCOLL-L
> > Subject:      [NHCOLL-L:448] bird egg display
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am putting together a small display of bird eggs.  Some of the eggs will
> > be in nests, others (large eggs) will be sitting in indentations on the
> > shelves. I am looking for a way of affixing the eggs to the surface so
> > that they will not roll out during an earthquake.  I was thinking of a
> > putty or soft rubber used to affix vases to shelves for earthquake
> > safety. However, I want to ensure that the adhesive substance will be
> > removable from the eggs, leave no residue, and that it will not have any
> > negative effects on the eggs while it is affixed.  Any suggestions for
> > adhesive substances, or alternatives to displaying eggs would be
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Tamar Danufsky
> > Curatorial Assistant
> > Dept. of Wildlife Museum
> > Humboldt State University
> > (707)826-4034
> >