40 .. THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



where the humerus joins the sternum (Plate X. B) to just 

 beyond the lower joint of the thigh (p), after which skin as 

 before. 



Tf any feathers become twisted or bent, they may be 

 instantly straightened by holding them in steam. If the 

 feathers are to be smoothed, raise them with the fingers or 

 tweezers, and let them fall back in place ; they will gene- 

 rally come down smoothly. Tf the feathers come out, put a 

 drop of glue upon the end of each, and place it in the 

 proper position ; it will stay, when dry. In this way large 

 bare places may be covered. 



Mounting dried Skins. — To mount dried skins, remove 

 the stuffing with which they are filled, and supply its place 

 with dampened cotton, also wrap the legs well with it; 

 place the skin in a box, where it must remain until it 

 becomes pliable, but not too soft, as it is then liable to drop 

 in pieces. It is to be mounted as described, excepting that 

 the neck is filled with cut hemp instead of bran. Birds 

 mounted from dried skins require more care in mounting, 

 and more binding to bring the feathers into proper posi- 

 tion, than fresh birds. 



Never 2^(i'int or varnish the feet or bill of a bird ; the 

 scales on the feet of birds are one of the most interesting 

 characters in the study of ornithology, and they cannot 

 readily be seen when covered with paint or varnish. In 

 mounting birds larger than a Robin, the muscles of the leg- 

 bone must be supplied by winding the tibia with hemp 

 until the original size and shape is attained. Particular 

 attention must be paid to the legs of the Waders and rapa- 

 cious birds. The exceptions to this rule are all swimming 

 birds ; as the tibia is buried in the body, it does not need 

 winding. 



In mounting Humming-Birds with the wings extended, 

 especially from dried skins, there is no i^eed of wiring the 

 leg. Place a single wire in the back part of the body, with 



