346 ON PRESERVING BIRDS. 



cork, by putting more cotton under it. If the head is to be 

 brought forward, bring the cork nearer to the end of the 

 box. If it requires to be set backwards on the shoulders, 

 move back the cork. 



As in drying, the back-part of the neck will shrink more 

 than the fore-part, and thus throw the beak higher than 

 you wish it to be, putting you io mind of a stargazing 

 horse, prevent this fault, by tying a thread to the beak, 

 and fastening it to the end of the box with a pin or needle. 

 If you choose to elevate the wings, do so, and support 

 them with cotton ; and should you wish to have them par- 

 ticularly high, apply a little stick under each wing, and 

 fasten the end of them to the side of the box with a little 

 bees' wax. 



If you would have the tail expanded, reverse the order 

 of the feathers, beginning from the two middle ones. 

 When dry, replace them in their true order, and the tail 

 will preserve for ever the 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 solution of corrosive sublimate is un- 

 commonly serviceable ; 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 contact with the bone 

 which remains in the wing. Pull gently the part that 



