Egg Collection

  Many early museums were set up as places of study by groups and societys who shared common interests.  Academics and ramblers groups interested in studying natural history established many fine collections throughout the country.  Collections such as these birds eggs were a valuable tool in their studies and they were able to show their findings and theories either in books or directly to a public in lectures or in display cases who otherwise (without modern media such as television) would be unable to have access to these items.    Museums nowadays, however, are sensitive to laws protecting wildlife and do not actively collect wild birds eggs. Any collection donated by the public has to come with documentation proving that they came from a legitimate source or were collected before current acts of parliament prohibiting such activities.  However, due to the endeavours of early collectors and curators many museums already have examples representing most indigenous (and many foreign) species so they have no need to run foul (or should that be fowl?) of the law.