1 6 BIRD-PRESER VI NC. 



then be sifted over it, and it will adhere wherever the 

 glue has touched ; for this purpose a small tin shovel 

 is best, something in this form, and about two 

 inches wide by four long, with a handle in proportion, 

 which can be made to order at any tinman's for a 

 trifle. 



Everything used in " weeding" should be baked in 

 a slow oven, otherwise spider's eggs and minute crea- 

 tures, which are pretty sure to be contained in it, will 

 make their appearance after the case is closed in the 

 disagreeable form of destroying your specimen. Moss, 

 &c., by being slowly dried, will also keep its colour 

 better. Yellow moss, found on the roofs of old barns, 

 and dark gray of the same species, are very generally 

 useful; and where yellow moss cannot be had, the 

 white or gray may be coloured with chrome, and looks 

 as well. Water plants fade, being more or less succu- 

 lent, and hence a little common water-colour with gum 

 will be used with advantage and look less artificial than 

 oil paint, which is often used. Fern looks very pretty 

 as an adjunct for heath-birds, but it should be dried 

 gradually and carefully, when quite full grown, and a 

 small touch of light green, permanent white forming 

 a portion of it, will give it a freshness and more natural 

 appearance. Grass in seed (not in flower) of various 

 kinds is also a very pretty addition; but bird-preservers 

 have a habit of using dyed grass, and yellow and red 

 XerantJiymum^ or Everlasting, which is certainly to be 

 avoided, and indeed anything which is unnatural. If 

 it is wished to introduce a lump of earth, or an appa- 

 rent bank, a piece of thick brown paper, bent to the 

 requisite shape, and glued over and covered with sifted 

 sand or gravel, has a very good effect ; but insects and 

 butterflies, or artificial flowers, unless they are ex- 

 tremely natural, should certainly be avoided. Eegard 

 should also be had to the season at which the bird 



