GUIDTE TO TaX-IDERMY 



71 



The next operation is to wire the wings, which 

 has to be done before wiring the legs. 



The wing wire should be of the same size or a 

 trifle smaller than the leg wires; its length should 

 be rather more than half the expanse of the bird. 

 For an eagle you would need two No. 10 wires about 

 four feet in length; one end of each of these must 

 be sharpened. With the left hand, grasp the wing 

 at its wrist joint, straightening this joint as much 

 as is possible while you insei-t the point of the wire 

 under the skin at a point just above the wrist (that 

 is, nearer the tip of the wing) on the under side 

 and force it over the joint, continuing on along the 

 bone and under the skin until it appears inside the 

 skin of the bird. Pass the wire through the body 

 at the large end, at the point where the shoulder 

 bone was anchored on the original body; turn the 

 v/ire ; pass it back again and clinch. It is very im- 

 portant to make a double clinch on each of the wing 

 wires, otherwise the wings are apt to work loose. 

 Wind a little tow or cotton around the wire and arm 

 bone to replace the flesh that was removed and to 

 hold the bone in place. Proceed with the wiring of 

 the legs and tail, and sewing up the cut the same as 





