336 ON PRESERVING BIRDS. 



PRESERVING true order, and the tail will preserve for ever the 



BIRDS. 



expansion you have given it. Is the crest to be 

 erect ? move the feathers in a contrary direction 

 to that in which they lie, for a day or two, and 

 it will never fall down after. 



Place the box any where in your room, out of 

 the influence of the sun, wind, and fire ; for the 

 specimen must dry very slowly, if you wish to 

 reproduce every feature. On this account, the 

 solution of corrosive sublimate is uncommonly 

 serviceable ; for at the same time that it totally 

 prevents putrefaction, it renders the skin moist 

 and flexible for many days. While the bird is 

 drying, take it out, and replace it in its position 

 once every day. Then, if you see that any part 

 begins to shrink into disproportion, you can 

 easily remedy it. 



The small covert feathers of the wings are 

 apt to rise a little, because the skin will come 

 in contact with the bone which remains in the 

 wing. Pull gently the part that rises, with your 

 finger and thumb, for a day or two. Press the 

 feathers down. The skin will adhere no more to 

 the bone, and they will cease to rise. 



Every now and then touch and retouch all 

 the different parts of the features, in order to 

 render them distinct and visible, correcting at the 

 same time any harshness, or unnatural risings, or 

 sinkings, flatness, or rotundity. This is putting 

 the last finishing hand to it. 



