STANDS AND ORNAMENTAL SUPPORTS. 91 



of mounted birds for public exhibition. In this instance, uni- 

 formity and simplicity are desiderata. "Spread eagle" styles 

 of mounting, artificial rocks and flowers, etc., are entirely out 

 of place in a collection of any scientific pretensions, or de- 

 signed for popular instruction. Besides, they take up too much 

 room. Artistic grouping of an extensive collection is usually 

 out of the question ; and when this is unattainable, half-way 

 efforts in that direction should be abandoned in favor of severe 

 simplicity. Birds look best on the whole in uniform rows, as- 

 sorted according to size, as far as a natural classification allows. 

 They are best set on the pl^tinest stands, with circular base 

 and a short cylindrical crossbar lightly turned upright. The 

 stands should be painted dead-white and be no larger than is 

 necessary for secure support ; a neat stiff paper label may 

 be attached.* A small collection of birds, as an ornament to a 

 private residence, offers a different case ; hei-e, variety of atti- 

 tude and appropriate imitation of the birds' natural surround- 

 ings, are to be secured. A miniature tree, on which a number 

 of birds may be placed, is readily made. Take stout wire, and 

 by bending it, and attaching other pieces, get the framework 

 of the tree of the desired size, shape and number of perches. 

 Wrap it closely with tow to a proper calibre, remembering that 

 the two forks of a stem must be together only about as large 

 as the stem itself. Gather a basket full of lichens and tree 

 moss ; reduce them to coarse powder by rubbing with the 

 hands ; besmear the whole tree with mucilage or thin glue, and 

 sift the lichen powder on it till the tow is completely hidden. 

 This produces a very natural effect, which may be heightened 

 by separately affixing larger scraps of lichen, or little bunches 

 of moss ; artificial leaves and flowers may be added at your 

 taste. The groundwork may be similarly prepared with a bit 

 of board, made adhesive and bestrewn with the same substance ; 



* A very simple and neat way of attaching the label to the stand is that used in 

 the Peabody Academy of Science and otlier museums. It consists of narrow 

 strips of tin bent over at each end so as to hold the label, and fixed to the stand by 

 a small tack at any desired angle. These tins and neat red-liued labels can be had 

 at the Naturalists' Agency, or the printed names can be cut from the " Check List " 

 and used for labels for North American birds. 



