Collection of wild bird eggs

Collections_box with dividers full of bird eggs, written labels

Collections_exhibition title wall to right, view of gallery

Collections_view down gallery, display cases with objects

Collections_19th century sepia photograph showing display cases with specimens

Collections_microscope on right with attachments, meteorite on left

Collections_six mounted bird specimens arranged in group

Collections_open wood box with watercolors, color swatches

Collection of wild bird eggs

dimensions variable

2020

natural history specimens

Collecting wild bird eggs was a popular pastime in the 19th century. By the late 1800s, naturalists began to call for an end to the practice as bird populations were decimated by hunting, the use of plumes in ladies’ hats, and hobbies such as egg-collecting. While it is now illegal to collect wild bird eggs and feathers in the United States, historical collections can be valuable sources for DNA sampling and other measurements.

This collection of both wild and domestic birds' eggs dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is part of the Sauk County Historical Society collection.

history of natural history, Wisconsin history