Guide to Taxidermy 



207 



Sawdust 



This is the best material to use when skinning 

 birds or animals, to take up blood or moisture and 

 prevent soiling of the feathers. Corn meal is best 

 if the specimen is to be eaten, but for other cases 

 it cannot compare with this. 



Fine hard-wood sawdust is the best ; if you can- 

 not get that any fine quality will do. Get it at any 

 wood-working establishment where they use power 

 saws. 



Scalpel 



This is the usual surgeons scalpel ; a finely tem- 

 pered blade in a thin ebony handle. It is the best 

 possible knife for skinning small or medium sized 

 specimens. Your dealer in supplies will have them. 



Skinning Knife 



A much larger knife than the last, used for skin- 

 ning large animals or cutting off the back of the 

 skulls on birds. Your dealer can furnish you with 

 one. 



Scissors 



All scissors used by taxidermists should have 

 sharp points on both jaws. A medium sized pair 

 (about 8 in. in length) is suitable for most bird 

 work, and a heavy pair of bone shears is very use- 

 ful for disjointing and cutting through bones of 

 wings and legs. Your dealer can supply both 

 kinds of best quality steel. 



