136 



Guide to Taxidermy 





straight, pointed piece of No. 10 wire through its 

 opening, the plaster, tow and into the neck-piece. 

 The wire is now sharply bent over the upper edge 

 of the ear and pinched so as to hold the ear firmly. 

 The natural position for the ears, that is, the one 

 that makes the best and most life-like mount, is to 

 have their top edge just touching the under side of 

 the horns; this throws the ears forward in a very 

 attentive or expectant manner. 



Finishing the Head 



Your specimen should be allowed to dry for at 

 least a week before doing anything further with it, 

 and longer if your room is cold or damp. Cut off 

 the pins about the mouth as close to the skin as pos- 

 sible, and then, with a nail-set or an inverted nail, 

 drive them in so they will not show. The pins about 

 the eyes should be carefully pulled out with a twist- 

 ing motion so as not to separate the skin from the 

 eyes. If the lips have been properly tucked in, the 

 mouth will need no further attention. Remove the 

 cotton from tlie nostrils and smooth up the cavity, 

 If it needs it, with a little melted wax. Wax should 

 also be used to fill any crack that may show about 

 the eyes. Brush the head up well, comb the hair 

 on the neck, and it is ready to be put on its sliield. 



