548 PRACTICAL ORNITHOLOGY. 



best, fix it so by means of a frame of brass wires, such as can 

 easily be invented for the occasion, fastening its parts to the 

 wires with threads or finer wires, and let it so remain some 

 days until perfectly dry. Then apply with a camel-hair pencil 

 a coat of mastic varnish to the ligaments, to prevent the sub- 

 sequent effects of moisture, or the attacks of insects. 



Small skeletons, up to the size of a Crow or Grouse, may 

 be prepared in this manner. Those of large birds require to 

 be supported by having the bones of the leg bored and wires 

 run up through them, and a stout wire run into the spine, 

 along the cavity for the spinal marrow. Or the supporting 

 wires may run externally of the bones, in various ways, which 

 will readily suggest themselves. 



The bones of some birds, as Geese, Ducks, and Divers, espe- 

 cially those of the inferior extremities, are liable to be very 

 greasy. Some soda in the water in which they are placed for 

 a night or so, will assist in removing the oily matter by means 

 of a brush. 



Several skeletons may be cleaned at the same time, an hour 

 or so being taken to each daily. Patience, neat-handedness, 

 and some ingenuity, are all that are requisite in making skele- 

 tons of birds. 



Skulls may be prepared in the same way. Or they may 

 be macerated in water until all the flesh is putrid, when it may 

 be washed clean away with water from a syringe. But in this 

 case, some of the bones are apt to sej)arate, and must be re- 

 stored to their places by isinglass or gum. 



Very beautiful preparations of the digestive organs may be 

 made in various ways. You have a bird, of which the organs 

 have not been damaged by shot. Fill a basin or other conve- 

 nient vessel with hot water, and place the bird in it. Renew 

 the water, if necessary, until all the parts of the bird have 

 acquired a high temperature. In the meantime have your in- 

 jecting apparatus ready, and a pot of white bees' wax, mixed 

 with a little turpentine, on the fire. Fix the pipe of the syringe 

 into the top of the gullet, and tie the extremity of the rectum. 

 Inject the intestinal canal. Let the bird remain until cool, or 

 pour cold water upon it. Then remove all the parts, dissect 



