Guide to Taxidermy 



223 



Artificial Stumps, Rocks and Groundworh. — 

 This work is a good test for your skill and patience. 

 You can make your work crude or a very good 

 imitation of Nature, according to the degree of 

 perfection you have attained or the time you care 

 to put into it. Stumps^ rocks and groundwork are 

 made in the same way, the only difference being in 

 the shapes and the final finish. 



Make the bottom board of soft wood of a proper 

 size to accommodate the specimen for which it is in- 

 tended, and bevel the edges. If the feet of your 

 specimen are to be upon the top of the rock or 

 stump you must make an upright and crosspiece of 

 wood in the proper place. The marginal sketches 

 opposite illustrate the method of making a stand 

 suitable for an eagle, heron or duck. It has one 

 crosspiece in the middle, this being intended for the 

 reception of the wires in the specimen's legs. Anj' 

 other prominent elevations may have a block of 

 wood to support the wire mosquito netting that is to 

 be tacked over the frame and along the edges of 

 the base. This frame can be dented to make a 

 rock of any shape or to make an uneven ground. 

 If you are making a stump, of course the wire 

 will be bent around your upright piece in a cir- 

 cular shape. 



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