MATERIALS, ETC. 17 



with the pliers force a piece of wire into it in the centre, 

 then bend the wire in imitation of a branch or small tree, 

 then wind it with hemp to give it the required shape ; 

 additional wires may be fastened on to represent the smaller 

 twigs. 



The whole is now to be covered with a coating of glue, 

 and sprinkled with pulverized moss, or small pieces of 

 moss are placed upon it smoothly. If the work is per- 

 formed neatly, a perfect imitation of a little tree will be the 

 result, upon which the bird is placed. If artificial leaves 

 are to be used, they may be placed upon the twigs with 

 .glue. 



If, instead of a wire, a twig bent in the required form 

 can be procured, and fastened to the bottom with wire, 

 it may be covered with moss without winding with hemp. 

 The fancy stands seen with dealers in birds are generally 

 made of a substance called papier-mache, that is, manu- 

 factured of paper pulp and glue as follows : Tear paper 

 in small pieces and place it in water, let it stand over- 

 night. Then, as it will be entirely soaked, reduce it to 

 a perfect pulp, either by forcing it through a sieve or by 

 stirring it. When reduced to a pulp, drain the water 

 away. Dissolve a quarter of a pound of glue in a pint of 

 water ; mix with this a pint of pulp, heat it, and stir it 

 well ; then it is ready for use. Prepare a stand as de- 

 scribed. Mould the pulp upon it in any shape to suit 

 the fancy. It should have the consistency of putty, in 

 order to work well. If it is too thin, put in more of the 

 pulp if too dry, more water. 



With this substance you can imitate almost anything in 

 the shape of miniature trees, with hollows, knots, crooked 

 limbs, etc. By drawing over the whole, when finished, a 

 comb, the bark of a tree can be imitated exactly. When 

 perfectly dry, the limbs of the tree can be painted brown 

 in the manner described. The bottom of the stand is 



