Guide to Taxidermy 



65 



the wings. After telling how to put the eyes in 

 your specimen, how to properly finish it and how 

 to make the stands to set it on, we will explain a 

 number of unusual points and methods necessary 

 in the mounting of various other kinds of birds. 



Putting Eyes in Birds 



As we have previously said, the eyes are not put 

 in a bird until it has dried. This is because the act 

 of doing so is almost certain to disarrange the 

 plumage. If the eyelids are left round, the eyes 

 can be put in a position very easily and nicely for 

 the head skin is dry and will stand handling. With 

 your forceps, carefulh' thrust back into the skull 

 the cotton that is now fiilling the eye hole. Insert 

 a small piece of wet cotton in each cavity and let 

 your specimen stand for about a half hour. This 

 wet cotton is then removed and you will find that 

 the lids are softened so you can vary their shape 

 at will. The eyes that you want for a jay are No. 

 6 brown. It is well to have a small supply of eyes 

 on hand such as you may want for specimens you 

 are apt to get. The majority of birds have brown 

 eyes, but of course that is one of the things that is 





