HOW TO FIX. n 



can then fill the body with cut hemp, and sew up. 

 One word as to the other preparations used by bird- 



preservers. These are either corrosive sublimate or 

 regulus of arsenic, which is yellow and of a consistence 

 like butter. As I have said before, in cold weather, 

 when there are no flies about, alum will do perfectly 

 well ; in warm weather either of the two others may 

 be used. I should prefer the former corrosive sub- 

 limateas the other is " messy," and the chief object 

 is to dry up anything which can be attacked by flesh- 

 seeking insects. AVhen you have finished your bird, 

 you can lay the feathers with a large needle it is as 

 well to have one fixed in a handle and kept for this 

 purpose and, tying the two mandibles of the bill 

 together with a piece of thread until the whole speci- 

 men has hardened and dried, the work is done. 



