THE ART OF PRESERVING BIRDS. 33 



head so placed that the bill is turned at right angles with 

 the body, with the head resting on one side, and not on the 

 back as before. 



All Ducks with large heads should be skinned in the 

 same way, with the exception that the insertion must be 

 made under the head, on the throat. Ducks, Herons, Geese, 

 large Sandpipers, and all other long-necked birds, should, 

 when placed to dry, rest upon the breast, with the head 

 and neck placed upon the back, and the head turned on 

 one side. Herons with very long necks should have them 

 bent once. The bill must be placed parallel with the neck 

 and pointing forward. 



While travelling it is not always convenient to fill out 

 the bodies of large birds; it is better to pack them flat, 

 with but little cotton in them, just enough, however, to 

 keep the opposite parts of the skin from coming in contact. 

 The neck should always be filled. When it is impossible 

 to procure stuffing for small birds, they may be packed flat 

 also. 



Birds that have been preserved with carbolic acid, even 

 after they have been lying for years, and have become 

 perfectly dry, may be skinned in the following manner : 

 Place wet cotton or hemp under the wings, in the throat, 

 and around the legs, and finally envelop the whole body 

 in a thick coating. Place it in a close box, and let it 

 remain a day or two until it is softened, then take it out 

 and remove the skin as before directed; but more care will 

 have to be exercised than in skinning fresh birds. Alco- 

 holic specimens may be skinned; but the wet plumage had 

 better be dried in the air without plaster. Mr. A. L. Bab- 

 cock has a number of mounted birds in his collection at 

 Sherborne, Massachusetts, that were preserved in alcohol, 

 and sent from South America. 



The beginner will find that some birds, such as the 

 Cuckoos, Pigeons, and Doves, are very difficult to skin over 



2* C 



