504 TAXIDERMY. 



vals, so that an upright rod might be inserted into any of 

 them. An ordinary wine cork was bored and passed over the 

 rod, so as to slide rather stiffly up and down. A stout pin was 

 stuck into the cork, a piece of twine tied to it, and the simple 

 apparatus was complete. 



The sketch was taken while "Waterton was preparing a phea- 

 sant. A large lump of wax is pressed on the beak and from 

 it projects a sharp needle point, which can be thrust into the 

 cork. It will be seen that the bird can be thus supported in 

 any position, and the wings raised or depressed at pleasure. 

 For convenience sake, Waterton usually placed his bird-stand 

 on a little oak table, which he called " Peggy," and which 

 could be turned about so as to enable him to reach every 

 part of the bird. The piece of twine attached to the pin 

 was used for giving the proper position of the head, the twine 

 being hitched into notches cut in the side of the stand. 



On such a stand I have prepared birds in the act of stand- 

 ing, flying, swimming or feeding, and found it to be in- 

 valuable. It also answers well for the smaller animals, but 

 the larger kinds must necessarily have stands of correspond- 

 ing size. 



I found it better to wash all birds and animals in soft, warm 

 water and soap, then rinse them thoroughly, and then, if birds, 

 soak them in the poison. I used generally to dry them by 

 tying a piece of strong tape to their legs and swinging them 

 backwards and forwards, so that not even the most delicate 

 down was matted. It was wonderful to see how beautifully 

 their colours came out after the washing. 



It is better to make absolutely sure of the various parts 

 of the skin to be noted, such as the position of the joints, <tc. 

 A very simple way of doing so is by fixing the animal in the 

 required attitude before skinning it, and passing a fine white 

 thread through the skin at the different points, letting the 

 ends hang down. They will come out easily when the opera- 

 tion is completed. Measurements, and if possible, a sketch 

 to scale should be taken, so as to guard against the usual 



