74 Preserviny Feathers. 



The feathers are valuable and should be preserved, which 

 is very easily managed. '^ Strip the plumage," says Mr. 

 Wright, ''from the quills of the larger feathers, and mix 

 with the small ones, putting the whole loosely in paper 

 bags, which should be hung up in the kitchen, or some 

 other Avarm place, for a i^w days to dry. Then let the 

 bags be baked three or four times for half an hour each 

 time, in a cool oven, drying for two days between each 

 baking, and the process will be completed. Less trouble 

 than this will do, and is often made to suffice ; but the 

 feathers are inferior in crispness to those so treated^ and 

 may occasionally become offensive." 



