MATERIALS, ETC. 15 



They may afterwards be skinned, as will be described here- 

 after. Impure carbolic acid will answer as well as the 

 refined, and it is much cheaper. 



The cost of this acid is trifling, and it will often prove 

 beneficial in preserving birds in warm weather when they 

 cannot be skinned immediatel}^ But I would not advise 

 its use in preserving birds when it can possibly be avoided, 

 as it dulls the plumage, and is offensive in its odor in con- 

 nection with the juices of the birds while they are being 

 skinned. It is, perhaps, needless to add that this acid 

 is a dangerous internal poison; it also burns the skin 

 badly when allowed to come in contact with it, but all 

 injurious effects may be removed by applying oil to the 

 spot. 



As a collector walks much, he must have something on 

 his feet that is easy and at the same time serviceable. I 

 have found that in stony countries like New England the 

 best things are canvas shoes that lace up in front, tightly 

 about the ankles and over the instep, to prevent slipping up 

 and down, which is the worst possible thing that could 

 happen while on a long tramp ; the soles should be broad, 

 so that the toes may have room enough without crowding. 

 With such shoes I have found that I could walk farther 

 than with anything else, and be less wearied in the end. 

 If the feet are wet from walking in water, with canvas 

 shoes on them they will soon dry, as the water will all run 

 out upon walking a short time on dry ground. Anything 

 that is water-proof will be much too heavy to travel in, 

 besides being injurious to the feet. 



In sandy localities, or on marshes, or in winter when the 

 snow covers the ground, Indian moccasons are the easiest 

 and best things that can possibly be worn ; but* in stony 

 places they are not of sufficient thickness to protect the 

 feet from receiving injury from the hard surface, other- 

 wise they are exceedingly easy. They are not water-proof, 



