44 FIELD ORNITHOLOGY. 



exactly as directed for the legs ; they may then be placed in any shape. But with most small 

 birds, and those with short wings, simple pinning in the half-spread position indicating flutter- 

 ing will suffice ; it is readily accomplished with a long, slender insect pin. I have already 

 spoken of fixing the tail by pinning or wiring the pope's nose to the tow body ; it may be thus 

 fixed at any desired elevation or depression. There are two ways of spreading the tail. One 

 is to run a pointed wire through the quills, near their base, where the wire will be hidden by 

 the coverts ; each feather may be set at any required distance from the next by sliding it along 

 this wire. This method is applicable to large birds ; for small ones the tail may be fixed with 

 the desired spread by enclosing it near its base in a split match, or two slips of card-board, 

 with the ends tied together. This holds the feathers until they dry in position, when it is to 

 be taken off. Ci'ests may be raised, spread, and displayed on similar principles. A small 

 crest, like that of a cardinal or cherry bird, for instance, may be held up till it dries in position 

 by sticking in behind it a pin with a little ball of cotton on its head. It is sometimes neces- 

 sary to make a bird's toes grasp a support by tying them down to it till they dry. The toes 

 of waders that do not lie evenly on the surface of the stand may be tacked down with small 

 brads. The bill may be pinned open or shut, as desired, by the method already given. Never 

 paint or varnish a bird's bill or feet. 



Substitution of an artificial eye for the natural one is essential for the good looks of a 

 specimen. Glass eyes, of all sizes and colors, may be purchased at a moderate cost. The 

 pupil is always black ; the iris varies. Y(ju will, of course, secure the proper coloi if it is 

 known, but if not, put in a dark brovAm or black eye. It is well understood that this means 

 nothing ; it is purely conventional. Yellow is probably the next most common color ; then 

 come red, white, blue, and green, perhaps approximately in this order of frequency. But do 

 not use these striking colors at hap-hazard; sacrificing truth, perhaps, to looks. Eyes are gen- 

 erally inserted after the specimen is dry. Remove a portion of the cotton fi-om the orbit, and 

 moisten the lids till they are perfectly pliable; fix the eye in with putty or wet plaster of Paris, 

 making sure that the lids are naturally adjusted over it. It goes in obliquely, like a button 

 through a button-hole. Much art may be displayed in this little matter, making a bird look 

 this way or that, to carry out the general " expression." 



On finishing a specimen, set it away to dry ; the time required varies, of course, M-ith the 

 weather, the size of the bird, its fetness, etc. The more slowly it dries the better; there is 

 less risk of the skin shrinking irregularly. You will often find that a specimen set away with 

 smooth plumage and satisfactory curves dries more or less out of shape, perhaps with the 

 feathers raised in places. I know of no remedy ; it may, in a measure, be prevented by scru- 

 pulous care in making the body smooth and firm, and in securing slow, equable drying. 

 When perfectly dry remove the wrapping, pull out the superfluous pins or wires, nip off the 

 others so short that the ends are concealed, and insert the eyes. The specimen is then ready 

 to be transferred to its permanent stand. 



Fixtures for the display of the object of course vary interminably. We will take the 

 simplest case, of a large collection of mounted birds fur public exhibition. In this instance, 

 uniformity 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 

 designed 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, assorted according to size, as far as a natural classification 

 allows. They are best set on the plainest stands, with circular base and a short cylindrical 

 crossbar on a 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; here, variety 



