VOL. IX. 



The Oologist. 



ALBION, N. Y., NOV., 1893. 



NO. 11 



Osteology for Amatuers- 



A goodly collection of skulls or a fair 

 number of skeletons will give a natur- 

 alist more knowledge regarding the 

 birds represented than a like number of 

 first-cl:i.ss skins. This assertion may be 

 disputed by some, but it only proves 

 that such persons have never dabbled 

 in the pleasures of an osteological study. 



Probaljly the main reason that so 

 many naturalists have omitted avian 

 osteology is tlie great dillieulty exper- 

 ienced in prei)aring cabinet si^ecimens. 



Kecognizing the need of a good meth- 

 od for i)repai-iug specimens it is the ob- 

 ject of the writer to present to you 

 clear and simple directions for the man- 

 ufaQture of good preparations for os- 

 teological study. 



About a year ago Mr. Will T. Shaw, 

 a naturalist well known to many read- 

 ers of the OoLOGiST, while studying this 

 interesting Ijrauch of ornithology dis- 

 covered a new process for preparing 

 skeletons and skulls for the cabinet. 



That process combined with the ex- 

 periences of the writer is herein con- 

 densed and respectfully sul>mited to the 

 American Naturalists. 



The process— sinijjle but eirunent is as 

 follows. In preparing skeleton.?, skin 

 the bird and remove all the Hesh ])os- 

 sible with the scalpel. Then boil for 

 one hour in a solution of water and lye, 

 in the proportion of one teaspoonful of 

 lye to every quart of water. 



After one hour steady boiling the re- 

 maining Hesli may be easily detached 

 from the bones by the use of a water 

 blower. Kig up your blower in some 

 out door situation, and get a good 

 strong stream of water playing on all 

 the parts. You will be surprised at the 

 ease with which it is done, tli<' force of 



the water easily dislodges all matter 

 contained in the various ci'evices of the 

 avian frame. 



Skulls are prepared in the same man- 

 ner only it is not necessary to remove 

 any of the flesh before boiling. The 

 water blower will be found especially 

 useful in removing the brains through 

 the oridce of the spinal column. 



It will sometimes be found necessary 

 to boil the prepai'ation longer than an 

 hour in order to remove all traces of 

 flesh. Care should be exercised in this 

 direction for if the bones are left in the 

 solution too long, the lye will "eat a 

 hole" through — an accident not easily 

 repaired. 



When all traces of flesh have been re- 

 moved, they are ready for drying, 

 which can be accomplished best by 

 placing in the sun, the sunlight 

 bleaching in a first-class manner. 



When dry label all the miscellaneous 

 bones and place in the cabinet. 



You will experience difliculty at first 

 in putting a skeleton together, however 

 practice and a careful study of "Osteol- 

 ogy" in Coues' Key will overcome this 

 also. 



Place the completed skeleton upon a 

 neatly varnished stand of hardwood. 

 Ah! how valuable your first skeleton 

 will seem. 



As naturalists are always "orderly 

 souls" perhaps an idea of an osteologi- 

 cal work room will not be out of the 

 way. If possible always have a place 

 especially set ajjart for your work. 

 You will find a corner of the barn 

 or out-house more convenient 

 and satisfactory, for mauufac^ 

 turing skeletons is not a very invit- 

 ing job to many of the family. Have 

 your work table here, four or five light 

 W(jo(Ien trays, a'v/.c about 7 by 14 and 

 one inch high for carrying prci)aralious. 



