Dear Carole--

Try cornstarch--it thickens other things, so it might work.

Debbie

Deborah B. Duval
Family Service Center
Nicholls State University
P. O. Box 2131
Thibodaux, La.  70310
>>> <[log in to unmask]> 11/14/09 7:46 PM >>>
Dear all knowing Conch-Lers,
 I needed small jars to preserve specimens and asked my local pancake
house to save their syrup bottles for recycling. They were very kind but when I
picked up the bottles many still had some syrup inside. Here is my
question,  does anyone have any idea what to mix this syrup with to make a recipe
for wild  birds. I was thinking of mixing in bird seed but what else would
bind the bird  seed and syrup? I don't really want it runny.
 If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
 2nd question, I was told Everclear would be good to preserve  specimens,
in place of ethyl alcohol, but Everclear is apparently illegal in  Florida
having too great of a proof. (I refuse to use my moonshine for such a  mundane
task.) Does 154 proof grain alcohol work as well? No one sells ethyl
alcohol any longer, apparently some people were drinking it.
   At any rate, pancake syrup jars will work quite well for small
specimens. If anyone else had this storage problem. Also, one of the Broward  Shell
Club members discovered Wal-Mart carries small screw top plastic beading
containers. 24 for about $7.00.Very nice and sturdy about 1 inch in diameter
and  about 1 inch high. In the ribbon section. Very good for storing small
shells.
  Thanks for your help,
          Carole  Marshall

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