There is a need for an accessible source of information which explains the uses of birds' egg collections in a contextual and generalised way. It is the intention of this publication to help meet this demand, using the following chapter headings: Museum Display; Oology, Identification and Visual Images; The Value of Birds' Eggs in Scientific Research; and Historical Aspects of Birds' Egg Collections. The latter is approached differently from the rest. It mostly comprises a case-study, which details the intensive collection of the eggs of some species, in particular the Common Guillemots of the Yorkshire coast. The final chapter 'Curation of Birds' Eggs', examines this neglected aspect of curatarial practice. An extensive bibliography is also included.