FIELD TAXIDERMY. 79 



desk, while a hollow log, sawed to the proper length 

 and covered with buckskin, furnished the seat. On 

 one side was a pole platform on which mounted birds 

 were stored, while a similar one held the guns and 

 ammunition ready for instant action. By noon on the 

 second day the whole place was complete, and they 

 were ready for anything of the bird kind from an 

 eagle to a " hummer. " 



Two beautiful long-crested jays perched them- 

 selves on a limb in front of the tent and began an 

 inspection which cost them their lives, and they were 

 first to be immolated on the shrine of science. The 

 advantage of field taxidermy was shown in the first 

 day's work. The operator was not compelled to rely 

 upon either memory or notes to ascertain the correct 

 positions of birds, but from his desk could look into 

 the trees and see the counterpart of the one in hand 

 and thus get the natural poses and positions. This 

 practice soon convinced Dyche that the live bird in 

 its natural habitat was the only safe guide to be 

 followed. Another point gained by field-work was 

 in mounting many of the smaller birds which had 

 such tender skins that it was next to impossible to 

 carry them long distances before mounting. This 

 was especially noticeable in the hummers, which, 

 every taxidermist knows, are exceedingly difficult 

 to mount after becoming dry. Ordinarily many 

 skins are spoiled by oil oozing from the shot-holes, 

 but when they are mounted immediately this can be 

 obviated with little difficulty. Doves and pigeons, 

 which are so difficult to mount from dry specimens, 

 were handled very readily, and the fresh skins were 



