The Artistic Grouping of Stuffed Birds. 95 



should it be placed in a tree, the branch or portion 

 of the trunk in which it is built is cut out, and the 

 whole is then conveyed bodily to the museum. 



Under the able direction of Dr. A. Giinther, F.R.S., 

 who takes the greatest interest in personally super- 

 vising this part of the work, the group is carefully 

 arranged and set up exactly as it was found in 

 nature. In some instances there are not many 

 difficulties to overcome, and as an example of a 

 comparatively easy group to " set up," we might 

 mention the case of Spotted Woodpeckers, which is 

 merely a twigless, leafless piece of trunk, having in 

 it the woodpecker's hole, sawn off the tree, with 

 the birds stuffed and placed upon it ; but the beauty 

 of a case chiefly lies in the attitude and grouping of 

 the birds, which here are certainly perfect. 



Skilful experts prepare the wood with various 

 chemicals, rendering it impervious both to insects 

 and decay. Leaves and flowers always present diffi- 

 culties, because, as a rule, they cannot be preserved 

 sufficiently well to appear fresh and "growing." 

 Artificial leaves and flowers must therefore be 

 generally used, and in the Natural History Museum 

 these are all modelled in wax a very costly process, 

 but one by which the best results are obtained. 

 Natural grasses and reeds, when properly dried and 

 coloured, can be made to appear very life-like, but if 



