MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 45 
of attitude and appropriate imitation of the birds’ natural surroundings are to be secured. A 
miniature tree, on which a number of birds may be placed, is readily made. Take stout wire, 
and by bending it, and attaching other pieces, get the framework of the tree of the desired size, 
shape, and number of perches. Wrap it closely with tow to a proper calibre, remembering 
that the two forks of a stem must be together only about as large as the stem itself. Gather 
a basket full of lichens and tree moss; reduce them to coarse powder by rubbing with the 
hands; besmear the whole tree with mucilage or thin glue, and sift the lichen powder on it till 
the tow is completely hidden. This produces a very natural effect, which may be heightened 
by separately affixing larger scraps of lichen, or little bunches of moss ; artificial leaves and 
flowers may be added at your taste. The groundwork may be similarly prepared with a bit 
of board, made adhesive and bestrewn with the same substance; grasses and moss may be 
added. If a flat surface is not desired, soak stout pasteboard till it can be moulded in various 
irregular elevations and depressions ; lay it over the board and decorate it in the same way. 
Rocks may be thus nicely imitated, with the addition of powdered glass of various colors. 
Such a lot of birds is generally enclosed in a cylindrical glass case with arched top. As it 
stands on a table to be viewed from different points, it must be presentable on all sides. A 
niche in parlor or study is often fitted with a wall-case, which, when artistically arranged, has 
a very pleasing effect. As such cases may be of considerable size, there is opportunity for the 
display of great taste in grouping. A place is not to be found for a bird, but a bird for the 
place, — waders and swimmers below on the ground, perchers on projecting rests above. 
The surroundings may be prepared by the methods just mdicated. One point deserves atten- 
tion here; since the birds are only viewed from the front, they may have a ‘‘ show-side” to 
which everything else may be sacrificed. Birds are represented tlying in such cases more 
readily than under other circumstances, supported on a concealed wire inserted in the back of 
the case. I have seen some very successful attempts to represent a bird swimming, the duck 
being let down part way through an oval hole in a plate of thick glass, underneath which 
were fixed stuffed fishes, shells, and seaweed. It is hardly necessary to add that in all orna- 
mental collections, labels or other scientific machinery must be rigorously suppressed. 
Transportation of mounted birds offers obvious difficulty. Unless very small, they are 
best secured immovably inside a box by screwing the foot of the stands to the bottom and 
sides, so that they stay in place without touching each other. Or, they may be carefully packed 
in cotton, with or without removal of the stands. Their preservation from accidental injury 
depends upon the same care that is bestowed upon ordinary fragile ornaments of the parlor. 
The ravages of insects are to be prevented upon the principles to be hereafter given in treating 
of the preservation of birdskins. 
§ 8. — MISCELLANEOUS PARTICULARS. 
Determination of Sex. — This is an important matter, which must never be neglected. 
For although many birds show unequivocal sexual distinctions of size, shape, and color, like 
those of the barnyard cock and hen for instance, yet the outward characteristics are more 
frequently obscure, if not altogether inappreciable, on examination of the skin alone. Young 
birds, moreover, are usually indistinguishable as to sex, although the adults of the same species 
may be easily recognized. The rule results, that the sexual organs should be examined as the 
only infallible indices. The essential organs of masculinity are the testicles ; similarly, the 
ovaries contain the essence of the female nature. However similar the accessory sexual struc- 
tures may be, the testicles and ovaries are always distinct. The male organs of birds never 
leave the cavity of the belly to fill an external bag of skin (scrotum) as they do among 
mammalia; they remain within the abdomen, and lie in the same position as the ovaries 
of the female. Both these organs are situated in the belly opposite what corresponds to the 
