190 TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



Now take a spool of white thread, No. 40, fasten the end to 

 the hook-wire on the top of the back ; take the base of the 

 pedestal in the left hand and proceed to wind down the feath 

 ers. By means of the hook-wires you can wind from point to 

 point at will, so as to bind down the feathers where they lie too 

 high, and skip them entirely where they lie low enough. Get 

 the general outline of the bird first, and apply the thread with 

 a light and skilful touch, so that it will not make creases in the 

 bird. A little practice will enable one to wind a bird with 

 gratifying success. 



The next thing is to spread the feathers of the tail evenly, 

 and pin them between two strips of thin card-board placed 

 crosswise to hold the feathers in position until they dry. 



Lastly, adjust the toes so that they grasp the perch properly, 

 and set the specimen away to dry where it will not be touched. 

 In about two or three weeks, when it is thoroughly dry, cut 

 the threads off with a pair of scissors, pull out the hook-wires, 

 cut off the projecting ends of the wing-wires close down to the 

 wing, and cut off the wire at the top of the head close down 

 into the feathers. 



Mix a little varnish and turpentine together in equal parts, 

 and with a paint-brush paint the feet and bill in case they hap- 

 pen to require it. Clean the eyes and rub them until they 

 shine. You can perch the specimen now permanently on the 

 artificial twig, turned T perch, or natural twig, or whatever else 

 you have had in mind. In doing this, clinch the leg-wires to- 

 gether underneath the perch, and cut off the ends so that no 

 portion of the wire will show. Be neat in everything, and study 

 to make the bird look alive. 



Do not be discouraged if your first bird is a dead failure, 

 nor even if your first dozen birds are fit only for immediate de- 

 struction. If you get discouraged because your first attempt at 

 anything is not a complete success, you are not fit to succeed. 

 Better never begin than stop short of success. If you have a 

 love for taxidermy, and the patience and perseverance to back it 

 up, you are bound to succeed. 



