METHODS IN THE AKT OF TAXIDERMY. 121 



birds, both large and small, with equal success. I found also that the 

 plan worked equally well with skins which had been overstuffed or 

 otherwise badly made. In a very few minutes they would become 

 nearly as tractable as when freshly taken from the birds, and much 

 more so than I have ever succeeded in making them by the use of a 

 damping-box. The only difficulty experienced was that the water, 

 especially if turned in too fast, would escape through shot holes and* 

 other rents in the skin, thus wetting the plumage in places. Of 

 course after the required improvements or changes have been made 

 the stuffing is so thoroughly saturated that the skin must be placed in 

 a very warm place to dry. I dried mine most successfully by placing 

 them on a furnace register and leaving them exposed to the full blast 

 of heat for several da vs." 



