216 



Guide to Taxidermy 





22. Small Deer; Panther. 

 24. Large Deer; Tiger (yellow). 

 25 to 27. Elk and Moose; Mountain Sheep 

 (pale brownish white) ; Caribou. 



Approximate Sizes of Wire to Use 



For taxidermy work joii should always use an- 

 nealed wire. If you cannot secure anything but 

 spring wire you can anneal it by heating red hot 

 and allowing it to cool gradually. It will be most 

 convenient to buy wire of your supply dealer, cut 

 and straightened. If you buy it in coils, you can 

 straighten any size up to number 1 2 as follows : 



Fasten one end firmly in a vice, or bend it about 

 a hook or a nail driven in the floor; reel off a piece 

 about ten feet long, cut it and grasp the end firmly 

 in the pliers. Pull and as soon as it stretches a bit 

 it will remain straight. It should then be cut into 

 18 in. lengths as this is the most convenient length 

 to handle. The following list will give you an 

 idea of what sizes you will need. The sizes as given 

 are for the leg wires of birds ; except in the case of 

 long-necked birds the neck wire can be one or two 

 numbers smaller in size than the leg wires. 



No. 26. This fine wire will come upon a spool; 

 it is used for Hummingbirds, small Warblers and 

 Titmice. 



