TAXIDERMY. 61 



have before said, separating the feathers at each 

 stitch : we refurnish the orbits with chopped cotton, 

 which we introduce with small forceps, rounding 

 the eyelids well, we then place the eyes, introducing 

 them under the eyelids, and when a part of the 

 nictitating membrane appears below, we must push 

 it in with the point of the needle ; that the eye may 

 remain in its place. It is necessary, before fixing 

 it, to put a little gum on the cotton which is in the 

 orbit. 



In the middle of a small plank or piece of square 

 wood, we fix an upright, crossed by another piece 

 forming a crutch, we pierce the latter with two 

 holes at the distance which exists between the feet 

 of the bird, passing into them the two ends of wire 

 which come out under the feet, and which have 

 been kept long enough to turn them on this cross 

 stick, to steady the bird. 



Thus we have terminated all the mechanical 

 operations, which now give place to the taste and 

 ideas which spring from a knowledge of the man- 

 ners and habits of birds ; in short, to give to each 

 species its peculiar altitude. Long and constant 

 observations, assisted by practice will do more for 

 the naturalist than we can write on the subject. 



It will now suffice to observe, that the bird, being 

 on its wooden support, we must press our two 

 thumbs on the legs or tarsi, to incline the bird back- 



