PREFACE 



The object of this book is to enable the reader 

 to gain complete mastery of the art of taxidermy. 

 We do not believe in the wanton destruction of 

 birds for ornamental purposes, nor do the laws in 

 most states, if properly enforced, allow of such 

 practices. We do believe, however, that at least 

 one person in every community should possess the 

 knowledge to enable him to correctly mount speci- 

 mens. 



Millions of birds are killed yearly in the United 

 States by accidents, such as flying against light- 

 houses, telegraph wires, or buildings, etc. Practi- 

 cally none of these are saved because there is no 

 one at hand who has the requisite knowledge. 



If only a fraction of one per cent, of all the birds 

 killed accidentally, and those shot by sportsmen 

 and thrown away, could be saved and correctly pre- 

 ])ared it would be unnecessary to shoot thousands 

 tliat are now killed every year simply for museum 

 jmrposes. 



We trust that this book may be the means of cre- 

 ating a taxidermist or an enthusiast in every sec- 

 tion of the country, and that each one of them will 

 endeavor to persuade sjioitsmen to save most of 

 the game they kill. You will find that there Is 



