APPENDIX. 89 



being applied as if it were arsenic or any other pre- 

 servative. The skin is then folded neatly, and wrapped 

 in paper. "When ready for use, it is put into the damp- 

 ing box for a day or two; then the inside is care- 

 fully washed, the preservative is applied, and the 

 bird is mounted. 



SECTION IV. Mounting Specimens. I do not now 

 fill the neck with -any loose substance. The body is 

 made as before; then a wire is pushed through it 

 lengthwise, firmly clinched behind, and protruding in 

 front as long as the neck, skull, and one half the bill- 

 This is wound with hemp or cotton as far as the skull, 

 care being taken to make it somewhat smaller than 

 the neck. This is coated with a layer of clay, mixed 

 to the consistency of putty, well kneaded, making it 

 the size of the natural neck, excepting that it should be 

 larger at the base. The brain and eye cavities, as well 

 as the space occupied by the tongue, should also be 

 filled with clay; by using this pliable substance, the 

 neck and head can be placed in any position. Well- 

 kneaded clay becomes as hard as stone, when dry ; it 

 also possesses the advantage of not shrinking. Clay is 

 especially useful in mounting dried skins. I also fill 

 the tibiae of Hawks, Herons, etc., with it. 



Instead of pinning up the wings, as described on 

 page 39, they should be wired. Cut wires of a suitable 

 length, of a smaller size than is used for the legs, and 

 pass them through the wings, entering them just below 

 the carpal joint, on the under side ; thus on through 

 the body, clinching as described for the legs. The 

 outer end of the wire is now passed through a small 

 opening which occurs in the carpus (seen near F, Plate 

 X.), brought out above, and bent firmly down. This 

 wire will always be concealed from above by the spu- 

 rious wing which lies over it. 



