
May, 1886.] 
We desire no undue license for the taxi- 
dermists; they have their rights and ask 
for no more, and we have no doubt but 
that they will submit to more restrictions 
than any other class; but when they find 
privileges denied them, and others allowed 
to collect with impunity, under the ban- 
ner of scientific investigations, they have 
aright to demand an equality, and from 
personal interviews and extensive corre- 
spondence with the fraternity, we are in 
a position to foresee the result, and the 
taxidermists should be tendered a due ac- 
knowledgement of their privileges, or else 
when aroused to united action they shall 
take such methods as will prove to the as- 
sociated “scientists” that the blow which 
was intended for the taxidermists, has sev 
ered from the tree the hmb upon which 
they themselves perched in fancied security. 
ee SS 
Obituary. 
- CHAS. W. GUNN. 
Tt is again my unpleasant duty to record the 
loss of a prominent Michigan ornithologist. Less 
than twelve months ago the O. and O. announced 
the death of Dr. H. A. Atkins, the vetersn orni- 
thologist of the State, and we now have to mourn 
the additional loss of a well known naturalist— 
Mr. Charles W. Gunn, of Grand Rapids. 
He was an extensive traveler in the United 
States and had visited nearly every part of the 
Union in pursuit of specimens in his favorite 
branches—birds and eggs. He visited California 
four times. Twice he spent winters in Florida. 
He also visited Colorado, Panama and many 
other quarters in the east and north. During the 
past few years much of his traveling was on ac- 
count of his health, but during even his last so- 
journ in Southern California he earnestly prose- 
cuted his studies. 
He died the 15th of January, 1886, aged 28 
years. His large and valuable collection attests 
his interest in natural history, while his pleasing 
articles which frequently appeared in the O. and 
O. and other periodicals in the past, will recall his 
name to many who have read them but never 
seen him. Great is his loss to his numerous 
friends, and to the naturalists of the United 
States. G. 
AND OOLOGIST. 73 
Practical Taxidermy. 
BY FRANK B. WEBSTER. 

CHAPTER X.—DRIED SKINS. 
Skins that have been carefully prepared can be 
at any time relaxed and brought into a condition 
that is about the same as when taken off from the 
body. Like all other departments of the art, it 
only requires care and patience. As it is requi- 
site to be able to make up skins, when time is 
valuable in the collecting season, so it is to be 
able to mount them afterwards. The following 
is the simple and practical method: Prepare the 
sawdust sweat box, as previously described. 
Take the skin that is to be mounted and bury it 
in the sawdust, which should be thoroughly damp 
but not too wet. Let the skin remain from twen- 
ty-four to forty-eight hours, or longer, depending 
upon its size. When somewhat relaxed open it 
where it was sewed up and take out all the filling. 
Now refill it with wet sawdust ; this should be quite 
wet. Wrap wet cotton about the feet and again 
bury it in the sawdust in the sweat box. Let it 
remain until it is well relaxed and soft. This 
requires careful attention. Examine it morning 
and night. If left in too long the feathers are 
apt to start. [The time varies from two to five 
days, depending upon the subject.] With a little 
experience vou can determine when it is ready. 
When soft enough take the skin, shake off the 
sawdust and remove it from the inside. Then 
turn the skin completely inside out to base of beak, 
and turn it back. This will break the stiffness 
and cause the feathers to assume their original ; 
any bunchy place should be manipulated with 
the fingers till made soft; open and shut the 
wings, If the plumage is damp use a soft brush 
and by brushing and blowing it with the breath 
it will dry rapidly. Plaster is not required. This 
manipulation is the important part. If the skin 
was well cured there will be very little trouble 
with the feathers starting, but avoid pulling them. 
Should a few come out they can be replaced with 
paste when the specimen is mounted. Any bend 
or crimp in the wing or tail feathers, may be in- 
stantly removed by holding it in the steam from 
a kettle. The whole secret is to manipulate the 
skin till perfectly soft. 
of a large bird, that it be immersed in water fora 
few hours, then cover with plaster and let it 
remain a while. This will dry the feathers and the 

Some advise, in the case 
skin will remain soft. 
When the skin is prepared as above, proceed 
the same as with a fresh one. Where the feet 
and legs are large it will be found a help to use the 
leg drill to make a hole for the leg wires. Soft 
