POSITION OF BIRD. 1 3 



his perch. So in the ground-birds there is a gen- 

 tle slope backwards from the hind toe, the balance 



being preserved in both cases by throwing the body 

 forward in proportion. It is not uncommon to see 

 birds preserved with wings and tail spread. 'Now, 

 ordinarily speaking, this is very objectionable, because 

 very unnatural. A bird preserved is supposed to repre- 

 sent a bird in a state of repose, that is, not in flight ; 

 the only modification allowable being with regard to 

 those birds whose manner it may be to have the wings 

 more or less open on occasions : thus the falcon tribe, 

 supposing they are represented as devouring a quarry, 

 or two birds toying with each other. It may be that 

 a bird essentially aereal, like the wift, or perhaps 

 some of the terns or the frigate-bird, may be repre- 

 sented as actually on the wing. In this case, of course, 

 the wings must be spread ; and this is best done by 

 passing a wire, not too thick, from the base of the quill- 

 feathers on the under side, alongside the bone into the 

 body, where it should be carefully and coaxingly in- 

 serted towards the tail until you feel that you have a 

 pretty good hold, You may then pass it carefully 

 under the longest quill-feather, and through the back 

 of the case, and fasten it by bringing it back again 

 through and clinching it, concealing it so by the oblique 

 position of the bird that it is not detectable. It is 

 obvious that by passing the wire alongside the bone, 



