APPENDIX. 91 



The skin is removed as directed, but before it is turned 

 a piece of wire, varying in thickness according to the 

 size of the bird, is twisted around each wing bone, 

 connecting them together, but they should be kept as 

 far apart as they were when attached to the body. 

 The skin is now turned as before ; no sewing is now 

 done to the wings, as the wire will keep them in place. 

 Place the cotton in the skin in one piece, as directed, 

 taking care that the wing bones lie parallel with the 

 body, for if they cross one another the wings will not 

 set well. Sew up the orifice, smooth the feathers, and 

 see that the wings lie according to directions given 

 previously. A piece of cotton sufficiently large to 

 envelope the skin is now split into very thin layers, the 

 skin placed on one of these, and wrapped in it by draw- 

 ing first one side, then the other, over the bird, thus 

 covering every part, even the head. Skins prepared 

 in this way are simply laid one side upon any level 

 surface until dry, when the wrapping may be removed ; 

 or, if the skin is to be packed for transportation, a 

 thicker layer of cotton is added. The cotton which is 

 used for this purpose is of a nice grade, and is adver- 

 tised in our supply catalogue. 



Large birds are treated in the same manner, and the 

 necks as well as the legs of all birds should be kept 

 straight, in as natural a position as is possible. The skins 

 of ducks should be placed on their breasts, as more 

 characteristic colors are to be seen above. 



Salted skins should not be kept for more than a year 

 without making over, or mounting, and the feathers 

 should be kept as smooth as possible. 



NOTE TO SEC. IV. Of all the methods of mount- 

 ing which I have practised, I prefer the one now to be 

 described : No hard body is made, but the cotton is 

 wound around the neck wire as mentioned in the 



