Guide to Taxidermy 



63 



the right thread in starting it off the cop, and it 

 will all run off easily without snarling. 



The feathers are already in place as you want 

 them; the thread is wound on to keep them there, 

 for as they dry some of them might rise up. The 

 thread must not be pulled anywhere but simply 

 laid carefully on. Wind the back first, passing the 

 thread from one wing wire to the other, back and 

 forth and across until you have all the feathers 

 caught down; then wind completely around and 

 around the bird, each thread catching a different 

 place on the bird's breast or underparts; a few 

 turns of the thread around the head and neck (very 

 carefully made) will complete the task of winding. 



If the back of the head or the chin of the bird is 

 not filled out sufficiently, this can readily be reme- 

 died by inserting small pieces of cotton through the 

 mouth or eyelids, as may be most convenient, using 

 a short piece of wire for this purpose. Steady the 

 bird by the bill and carefully pull the cotton out of 

 the head, through the eyes, just sufficiently to mak*! 

 the lids rounded in a natural position. The eyes 

 are not put in until tlie bird is thoroughly dry. 



To keep the tail spread evenly as desired, bend a 



