CHAPTER VII. 



HINTS ON THE FORMS AND ATTITUDES OF BJRDS ; ACCESSORIES; 



GROUPING, ETC. 



Do not allow your mounted specimens to look like sinjjed ones. 

 Make them such marvels in symmetry of form and expressive in 

 character of attitude that the most critical will declare that " this is 

 truly art of a high order.'' The song or the cry of the birds and 

 their movements may be lacking, but let every other element which 

 enters into their structures stand out as life-like as it is in your 

 power to make them. 



Some are intuitively gifted in this line of work, others can 

 approach near to the ideal only after long years of patient study 

 and experience. But, in the beginning, do the best you can. Among 

 your first eflforts may be found specimens which will have the imprint 

 of extraordinary ability. 



Of all the models of taxidermic skill in birds and mammals, the 

 productions of my venerable teacher, Dr. Theodore Jasper, surpass 

 anything of their kind I have ever seen. They possess the same 

 grace, ease and elegance which are portrayed in the illustrations of 

 this work, and they fairly rival some of the examples in the plastic 

 arts. His mounted specimens, while not great in number, will stand 

 as monuments to his inimitable genius. 



The study of the birds in life is the only true way to obtain a 

 knowledge of their forms and attitudes. The field-glass or opera-glass 

 must often be employed in making these observations. In all mounted 

 specimens one of the chief beauties is symmetry of outline. No 

 harsh lines should appear in your work. If you will critically observe 

 the forms of even the most grotesque looking birds you will discover 

 in them lines of grace and beauty. Give to every bird with running 

 or stepping movements the ease of posture and the tilt of body which 

 will correspond to the action you intend to represent. See to it that 

 the legs do not come abruptly out from a wrong place in the body and 

 throw the bird out of its equilibrium and disarrange the feathers at 



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