MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 47 



proportions are not yet presented, unless the quill is dry, c >loil('ss, and empty, or only occupied 

 witli shrunken white pith. 



Examination of the Stomach frequently leads to interesting observations, and is always 

 worth wliile. In the first place, we learn most unquestionably the nature of the bird's food, 

 whicli is a highly important item in its natural history. Secondly, we often secure valuable 

 specimens in other departments of zoology, particularly entoniulogy. Birds consume incal- 

 culable numbers of insects, the harder kinds of which, such as beetles, are not seldom found 

 intact in their stomachs ; and a due percentage of these represent rare and curious species. 

 The gizzards of birds of prey, in particular, should always be inspected, in search of the small 

 mammals, etc., they devour; and even if the creatures are unfit for preservati(m, we at least 

 learn of their occurrence, perhaps unknown before in a particular region. ^lollusk-feeding 

 and fish-eating birds yield their share of specimens. The alimentary canal is often the seat of 

 parasites of various kinds, interesting to the hehninthologist ; other species are to be found 

 under the skin, in the body of muscle, in the brain, etc. Most birds are also infested with 

 external parasites of many kinds, so various that almost every leading species has its own sort 

 of louse, tick, etc. Since these creatures are only at home with a live host, they wiU be found 

 crawling on the surface of the plumage, preparing for departure, as soon as the body cools after 

 death. There is thus much to learn of a bird aside from what the prepared specimen 

 teaches, and moreover apart from regular anatomical investigations. Whenever practicable, 

 brief items should be recorded on the label, as already mentioned. 



Restoration of Poor Skins. — If your cabinet be a "general" one, comprising specimens 

 from various sources, you wiU frequently happen to receive skins so badly prepared as to be 

 unpleasant objects, besides failing to show their specific characters. There is of course no sup- 

 plying of missing parts or plumage ; but if the defect be simply deformity, this may usually be 

 in a measure remedied. The point is simply to relax the skin, and then proceed as if it were 

 freshly removed from the bird ; it is what bird-stuffers constantly do in mounting birds fi"oin 

 prepared skins. The relaxation is effected by moisture alone. Remove the stuffing ; fiU the 

 interior with cotton or tow saturated with water, yet not dripping ; put pads of the same under 

 the wings ; wrap the biU and feet, and set the specimen in a damp, cool place. Small birds 

 soften very readily and completely ; the process may be facilitated by persistent manipulation. 

 This is the usual method, but there is another, more thorough and more effective ; it is expo- 

 sure to a vapor-bath. The appointments of the kitchen stove furnish all the apparatus 

 required for an extempore " steamer; " the regular fixture is a tin vessel much like a wash- 

 boiler, with closed lid, false bottom, and stopcock at lower edge. On the false bottom is 

 placed a heavy layer of gypsum, completely saturated with water ; the birds are laid on a 

 perforated tray above it ; and a gentle heat is maintained over a stove. The vapor penetrates 

 every part of the skin, and completely relaxes it, without actually wetting the feathers. The 

 time required varies greatly of course ; observation is the best guide. The chief precaution 

 is not to let the thing get too hot. Professor Baird has remarked that crumpled or bent 

 feathers may have much of their original elasticity restored by dipping in hot water. Immer- 

 sion for a few seconds suffices, when the feathers will be observed to straighten out. Shaking 

 off superfluous water, they may be simply left to dry, or they may be dried with plaster. The 

 method is chiefly applicable to the large feathers of the wings and taU. SoUed plumage of 

 dried skins may be treated exactly as in the case (jf fresh sldns. 



Mummification. — -As before mentioned, decay may be arrested by injections of carbolic 

 acid and other antiseptics ; if the tissues be sufficiently permeated with these substances, the 

 body will keep indefinitely; it dries and hardens, becoming, in short, a "mummy." Injection 



