TAXIDERMY. 67 



feathers. We put oil of petrolium on the tarsi and 

 the claws, to drive away the insects. A bird 

 mounted with all these precautions preserves for a 

 length of time, and we can make it take the atti- 

 tude which we desire. If the wings are tied within 

 at the proper distance, notwithstanding the wires 

 which cross them, we can rest them against the 

 body, and they will bend only at their natural arti- 

 culations. If, on the contrary, we would give the 

 attitude of seizing on the prey, we must make the 

 legs almost stretched, the claws open, the head and 

 neck bent down, the wings very much raised, about 

 three quarters open, and convex above, the tail 

 forming a fan, almost perpendicular, and the body 

 inclined towards the prey. 



If we wish to make our bird flying, we extend its 

 wings as much as possible ; the tail will be hori- 

 zontal and open, the neck forward, and a little on 

 one side. The claws shut, and the feet pressed 

 against the breast. We suspend it thus to the 

 ceiling, by a piece of string which we have passed 

 across its back. 



If we prefer the moment of fright, the cross part 

 of the support, or rather the perch, must be made 

 obliquely ; the left foot must be extended, the right 

 on the contrary must be very near the body, and 

 bent ; the body thrown to the right, the wing of 

 that side elevated and very much spread, the other 



