92 HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 



grasses and moss may be added. If a flat surface is not de- 

 sired soak stout pasteboard, till it can be moulded in various 

 irregular elevations and depressions ; lay it over the board and 

 decorate it in the same way. Rocks may be thus nicely imi- 

 tated, with the addition of powdered glass of various colors. 

 Such a lot of birds is generally enclosed in a cylindrical glass 

 case with arched top. As it stands on a table to be viewed 

 from different points, it must be presentable on all sides. A 

 niche in parlor or study is often fitted with a wall-case, which, 

 ■when artistically arranged, has a very pleasing eft'ect. As such 

 cases may be of considerable size, there is opportunity for the 

 display of great taste in grouping. A place is not to be found 

 for a bird, but a bird for the place — waders and swimmers 

 below on the ground, perchers on projecting ^est^'^ above. The 

 surroundings may be prepared by the methods just indicated. 

 One point deserves attention here — since the birds are only 

 viewed from the front, they may have a "show-side " to which 

 everything else may be sacrificed. Birds are represented flying 

 in such cases more readily than under other circumstances — 

 supported on a concealed wire inserted in the back of the case. 

 I have seen some very successful attempts to represent a bird 

 swimming, the duck being let down part way through an oval 

 hole in a plate of thick glass, underneath which were fixed 

 stuffed fishes, shells and seaweed. It is hardly necessary to 

 add that in all ornamental collections, labels or other scien- 

 tific machinerj^ must be rigorously suppressed. 



Transportation of mounted birds offers obvious difficulty. 

 Unless very small, they are best secured immovably inside a 

 box by screwing the foot of the stands to the bottom and sides, 

 so that they stay in place without touching each other. Or, 

 they may be carefully packed in cotton, with or without re- 

 moval of the stands. Their preservation from accidental 

 injury depends upon the same care that is bestowed upon ordi- 

 nary fragile ornaments of the parlor. The ravages of insects 

 are to be prevented upon the principles to be hereafter given 

 in treating of the preservation of birdskins. 



