HOW TO MOUNT A BIRD. 



By FREDERIC A. LUCAS, 



EX-PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TAXIDERMISTS. 



SHOULD you become the prey of a desire to mount some pretty 

 songster, quaint owl, or swift-winged game bird that has fallen 

 a victim to your skill, it is hoped that a careful perusal of this 

 chapter will enable you to do so. First, however, experiment with 

 a bird or two that you do not particularly care for before essaying 

 your skill on one - that you prize. In selecting a bird for your first 

 trial, choose one of moderate size and comparatively tough skin. The 

 robin, cow bunting, crow blackbird, and bob white are all pretty good 

 subjects, while woodpeckers, cuckoos, and very large or very small 

 birds are to be shunned until you have acquired some little experience. 

 When you have acquired skill by practice, you will find among young 

 birds and mammals some of the prettiest and quaintest subjects for your 

 art. When setting out with the intention or expectation of securing 

 birds for mounting, take with you a newspaper or two, a little cotton 

 batting, and a pair of forceps. As soon as a bird is shot, plug the vent, 

 nostrils, and mouth with cotton ; also, treat any large shot-holes in 

 the same manner, and transfer the bird, head downward, to a paper 

 cornucopia of such length that you may twist together the open end 

 without damaging the tail. If there is blood on the plumage, do not 

 attempt to remove it until reaching home. The best thing in which 

 to carry birds is a fish-basket, as in that they are not bent out of 

 shape. Do not skin the bird as soon as it is shot, but wait a little 

 53 



