PROCURING SUBJECTS. 
The preservation of serpents requires still fewer accessories. 
Smaller species are usually plunged at once into a bottle of 
spirits, previously making a cut in the abdomen, by means of 
which the spirits can be introduced so as to preserve the intes- 
tines from decay. In the larger species skinning becomes 
necessary, when great care is required to avoid injury to the 
scales, aS much as must be taken with the tails of lizards. 
The head also requires some care, being the most valuable 
characteristic of its zoological character. 

PROCURING SUBJECTS. 
He who would be his own procurator as well as his own 
curator must rise with the sun, or, rather, before it. The 
equipment required, supposing the locality fixed upon to be 
within walking distance, is a warm rough coat, which is not 
too cumbersome and which will not be damaged by brushing 
through the underwood, for the objects of our search lie in the 
depth of the woods; strong boots and leather gaiters, for he 
will have to dash the early dew from many a blade of grass; 
a game-bag well furnished with inside-pockets, in which the 
smaller birds or animals may be placed when secured, and 
subjected to such necessary preparation as cau be bestowed on 
them on the spot. Besides these, a box or boxes in which such 
eges as fall in his way can be deposited. 
He has next to provide himself with a gun,—that indispens- 
able object of the fowler’s occupation. My own practice is to 
keep a gun at two or three farmhouses in the country where 
I am known, choosing the best localities I can conveniently 
select, and when I require specimens or my leisure permits, I 
can either slip down by a very late or very early train, and be 
on the ground I have selected by early dawn. My gunisa | 
double-barre!l, 18 bore. I load one barrel with two drachms of | 
the best powder and an ounce and a half of No.8 shot; the | 
other with the same quantity of powder and No. 6 shot. I | 
am thus prepared for whatever may turn up: with the smaller 
shot I can bring down any of the smaller birds without injury 
to the plumage, and should any of the larger kinds come in 
my way, I am also prepared for them—advantages which are 
obviously unattainable with a single barrel; for, to shoot a 
small bird with the larger shot would be to tear it all to pieces, 
and render it quite unfit for stuffing. The bird being shot,I | 
337 
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