with a couple of pointed wires, which should be 
passed through the first primary into the body, 
leaving about an inch of wire projecting on each 
side. 
To extend the wings as shown in flight, insert 
a pointed wire just below the carpal joint, and then 
pass it along the inside of the wing below the ulna 
and radius. When these bones have been passed, 
raise the wing to the desired angle and force the 
wire into the body. A single wire is usually sufh- 
cient to support the wing, but an additional one 
may be passed under the wing, if necessary, as a 
temporary support until the bird is dry. The sup- 
porting wire may be inserted under the wing on one 
side, pushed right through the bird, and bolted into 
the body on the other side, where the wire is hidden 
by drawing the feathers over it. Another method of 
supporting the specimen is to fasten the wire round 
the artificial body (before inserting the latter in the 
skin), the projecting end being bent down so that it 
comes out under the tail when the bird has been 
sewn up. The wing feathers are best fixed in posi- 
tion by pinning them between strips of thin card. 
The tail may be spread, or closed, as desired, 
on a fine wire passed through the quills (or it may 
be pinned between strips of thin card) and sup- 
ported by another wire passed into the body through 
the butt. 
After cutting off the head wire close to the 
skull, arrange the plumage very carefully with a 
needle. This done, begin to bind the speci- 
men with thread, gently fastening down any 
$3 
