THE WAY TO MOUNT BIRDS. 39 



Fasten the bird upon the stand by passing the wires of 

 the feet through the holes in the cross-piece (Plate VIII. Fig. 

 3, h), then twist the ends of the wire around the ends of the 

 cross-piece (Fig. 3, s) to fasten it firmly. Place the bird in 

 position with the tarsi inclining backward (Fig. 3, i), so that 

 a line dropped from the back of the head, passing through 

 the body, would pass down the centre of the stand (Fig. 3, a, a). 

 This is a natural rule, and one that applies to all perch- 

 ing birds. Next arrange the wings in position by applying 

 the same rules that were given when making a skin ; in 

 this case, however, the following additional rule may be of 

 use. The end of the bone of the foi-earm should reach just 

 half the length and width of the body where it meets the 

 lower end of the thigh (see Plate X. B). Having arranged 

 the wing, pin it near the bend to the body (Plate VIII. 

 Fig. 3, b), also through the first primary quill (Fig. 3, c). 

 The wings should in some cases be placed at a little dis- 

 tance from the body, as is natural with the Thrushes, and 

 some other species. This may be done by lengthening the 

 second wire (Fig. 3, c). Put the head in the proper posi- 

 tion, cut off the protruding wire (Fig. 3, g). Plait the tail- 

 feathers by placing the inner web over the outer (Fig. 3, d); 

 then place a piece of fine copper wire across the tail, and 

 fasten it to the ends of the cross-piece (Fig. 3, e). Fix 

 the artificial eyes in their proper position with glue or 

 putty; then wind the bird with the fine cotton on the 

 breast and shoulders and over the secondaries (Fig. 3, k); 

 this is to keep the feathers smooth while it is drying. 



To mount a bird with the wings extended, proceed as 

 before explained, but raise the wings, and use longer wires 

 to pin them in position. Then, to hold the quills and sec- 

 ondaries in place, bend a wire over the whole width of the 

 wing, passing on each side of them. In skinning and 

 mounting Ducks, open under the wing. This is accom- 

 plished by making an incision on the side, from the place 



