Haw to Mount a Bint. 



851 



A FAMILY OF SCREECH OWLS. 



in which they naturally lie, so that they lap under from the 011 ter- 

 most feather. The best plan is to place a piece of cardboard above 

 and another below the tail, and secure them tightly together with 

 pins, thus holding every feather securely. For very large birds with 

 widespread tails it will be necessary to run a wire through all the 

 quills near the base of the tail — a tedious and aggravating Oper- 

 ation, but one which is sure to hold. Whichever plan is adopted, 

 remember what was said previously — that the feathers of the tail are 

 always equidistant. Insert a little filling in the upper part of the 

 throat if it needs it, but be careful not to get too much there, which, 

 by the way, is a very common fault. Tie the bill together 1>\ run 

 Ding a thread through the nostrils and around the lower mandible, 

 or run a pin into the skull from below in such manner as to secure it. 

 And now, after a careful inspection and final dressing with the light 

 forceps, the bird is ready to be wound; and on the manner in which 

 this is done depends much of the bird's smoothness and general good 

 looks. If the winding is slovenly and careless, it will undo a great 



