42 ON STUFFING BIRDS. 



The box must now be placed out of the reach of the sun, 

 air, or fire, so that the skin may dry slowly. The corrosive 

 sublimate is of much service in this respect, for it renders the 

 skin moist and flexible for many days. The bird should be 

 lifted every day, so that any faults may be corrected which 

 take place while drying 1 . 



The small wing-coverts are apt to rise, owing to the skin 

 coming in contact with the wing-bones. The part which rises 

 should be gently pulled with the finger and thumb for a day 

 or two, and the feathers pressed down. 



The feathers should be frequently adjusted so as to ren- 

 der them distinct and visible. 



The legs begin to stiffen in three or four days, when it 

 will be time to place them in the desired position ; and the 

 toes either arranged, or curved, so as to hold a branch, in which 

 two spikes must be placed for the reception of the feet, whereon 

 they are to be stuck, and can afterwards be removed at plea- 

 sure. All the threads which kept the different parts in their 

 laces may now be removed. 



Mr Waterton touches the whole feathers with the solution of 

 corrosive sublimate, so as to preserve them from the attack of 

 moths. He says, " The surest way of proceeding is to im- 

 merse the bird in the solution of corrosive sublimate, and then 

 dry it before you begin to dissect it." 



We must now describe the mode of setting up a bird with 

 extended wings. After having proceeded with the stuffing as 

 formerly directed, and the central supporting wires have been 

 put in their places, pointed wires are to be thrust from the inside 

 through the wings, reaching as far as the metacarpus and the 

 carpus, (see plate I., fig. h & s),that is, to the arms and fore arms; 

 the ends which remain in the body are formed into ovals, of the 

 same size as those of the central wires, and firmly attached to 

 them either with threads, or small wires. The wings may 

 now be raised to any height wished, and disposed agreeably to 

 the taste of the operator ; and should he feel a difficulty in 

 pleasing himself, a good engraving may be copied. 



If it is intended to represent the bird flying, its wings are 

 extended to their utmost stretch, the tail placed horizontally, 

 and expanded, the neck forced forward, the legs and feet 

 drawn up close to the breast, with the toes closed. It may then 



