68 HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 



so that the naturally flexed toes lie flat, all the claws mutually 

 facing each -other. See that the neck is perfectly straight, and, 

 if anything, shortened rather than outstretched ; have the crown 

 of the head flat on the table, the bill pointing straight forward,* 

 the mandibles shut tightly. f Never attempt any "fancy" atti- 

 tudes with a birdskin ; the simpler and more compactly it is 

 made up the better.^ Finally, I say, hang over your bird (if 

 you have time) ; dress better the feathers' that were well 

 dressed before ; perfect every curve ; finish caressingly, and 

 put it away tenderly, as you hope to be shriven yourself 

 when the time comes. . 



There are several ways of laying a birdskin. A common, 

 easy and slovenly way is to thrust it head first into a paper cone; 

 but it makes a hollow-chested, pot-bellied object unpleasant to 

 see, and renders your nice work on the make-up futile. A 

 paper cylinder, corresponding in calibre to the greatest girth 

 of the birdskin, binds the wings well, and makes a good ordi- 

 nary specimen perhaps better than the average. Remarking 

 that there are some detestable practices, such as hanging up 

 a bird by a string through the nose (methods only to be men- 



* Exceptions. Woodpeckers, ducks and some other birds treated of in 39, are 

 best set with the head flat on one side, the bill pointing obliquely to the right or 

 left; owls, with the bill pointing straight up in the air as the bird lies on its back. 



t If the mandibles gape, run a thread through the nostrils and tie it tightly under 

 the bill. Or, since this injures the nostrils (and we frequently want to examine 

 their structure) stick a pin in under the bill close to the gonys, drawing it obliquely 

 into the palate. Sometimes the skin of the throat looks sunken betwixt the sides 

 of the jaw. A mere shred of cotton introduced with forceps through the mouth 

 will obviate this. 



% Don't cock up the head, trying to impart a knowing air it cannot be done, and 

 only makes the poor bird look ridiculous. Don't lay the skin on one side, with the 

 legs in perching position, and don't spread the wings the bird will never perch nor 

 fly again, and the suggestion is imartistic because incongruous. The only permis- 

 sible departure from the rule of severe simplicity is when some special ornament, 

 as a fine crest, may be naturally displayed, or some hidden markings are desired to 

 be brought out, or a shape of tail or wing to be perpetuated ; but in all such cases 

 the "flowery" inclination should be sparingly and judiciously indulged. It is, 

 however, frequently desirable to give some special set to hide a defect, as loss of 

 plumage, etc.; this may often be accomplished very cunningly, with excellent re- 

 sult. No rules for this can be laid down, since the details vary in every case; but 

 in general the weak spot may be hidden by contracting the skin of the place and 

 then setting the bird in an attitude that naturally corresponds, thus making a vir- 

 tue of necessity. 



