OF MOUNTING BIRDS, FEATHER BY FEATHER. 45 



are much greater, in studying or even observing natural objects, 

 than that which is enjoyed by man in a civilized state. 



We have seen a bird entirely mounted by the Indians of 

 Guyana, which was placed in an attitude so fantastic, and so 

 out of all possibility of the bird's assuming in a natural condi- 

 tion, that we could only suppose it to be the harlequin of birds. 



When these skins frequently exceedingly valuable from 

 their rarity are undone, to be remounted, it is oftentimes found 

 utterly impossible to get the wings to take a natural set ; in 

 which case, there is no other remedy but cutting them off close 

 to the body, and fixing them anew. The scapulars are separated, 

 they are softened with damp cloths, and then wrapped up with 

 bands of sheet lead, to give them a proper set. When we have 

 got them hi their natural shape, they must be fixed to the sides 

 by cement and cotton, and a long pin through each, with the 

 head concealed amongst the feathers. The scapulars, which 

 we have cut off, must then be cemented on, and they will 

 effectually cover the joining of the wings. The bird being now 

 arranged, and all the feathers adjusted, it is wrapped round 

 with small bands of fine linen or muslin, and set aside till 

 thoroughly dry. 



Should any feathers be disengaged, during the mounting, 

 they must be kept, and, when the bird is dry, we can replace 

 them in their proper situations with a pair of forceps, after they 

 have been touched on their shafts with the cement; the feathers 

 around the place in which we intend to insert them, must be 

 held up with the probing-needle (plate VI. fig. 10). 



If any of the feathers are deranged in mounting, and have 

 got a wrong set, the only way to remedy the defect is to pull 

 them out with forceps, and re-insert them with cement. 



OF MOUNTING BIRDS, FEATHER BY FEATHER. 



Rare birds are frequently received from foreign countries, 

 the skins of which are in such a state of decay, that it is im- 

 possible to mount them by the ordinary processes above de- 

 scribed. The only way in which they can be preserved, is to 

 mount them feather by feather, which however is a very tedious 

 method. It is as follows. 



Procure a piece of soft pliable wire, such as is used by bell- 



