328 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 



expansion you have given it. Is the crest to be 

 erect? move the feathers in a contrary direction 

 to that in which they lie, for a day or two, and 

 it will never fall down after. 



Place the box anywhere in your room, out of 

 the influence of the sun, wind, and fire; for the 

 specimen must dry very slowly, if you wish to 

 reproduce every feature. On this account the solu- 

 tion of corrosive sublimate is uncommonly service- 

 able ; for at the same time that it totally prevents 

 putrefaction, it renders the skin moist and flexible 

 for many days. While the bird is drying, take it 

 out and replace it in its position once every day. 

 Then, if you see that any part begins to shrink 

 into disproportion, you can easily remedy it. 



The small covert feathers of the wings are apt 

 to rise a little, because the skin will come in con- 

 tact with the bone which remains in the wing. 

 Pull gently the part that rises, with your finger 

 and thumb, for a day or two. Press the feathers 

 down. The skin will adhere no more to the bone, 

 and they will cease to rise. 



Every now and then touch and retouch all the 

 different parts of the features, in order to render 

 them distinct and visible, correcting at the same 

 time any harshness, or unnatural risings or sink- 

 ings, flatness or rotundity. This is putting the 

 last finishing hand to it. 



In three or four days the feet lose their natural 

 elasticity, and the knees begin to stiffen. When 

 you observe this, it is time to give the legs any 

 angle you wish, and arrange the toes for a stand- 

 ing position, or curve them to your finger. If 

 you wish to set the bird on a branch, bore a little 



