106 
natural stump. Next make a hole close to the 
stump, pass the wire end of the large branch 
through it drawing it down firmly, clinch it on 
the bottom; take the next larger branch, and 
about 3 or 4 inches from the base pass the wire 
through the large branch and twist it around it 
in like manner as the others. One branch now 
appears. (See fig. 2.) Next twist the branches 
in desired shape, with 
glue and moss, cover 
the wires that show; 
fasten leaves by twist- 
ing the stems to the 
branch, add a few fern 
leaves to the base, per- 
haps some dried grasses, 
and finally a little of 
the tree moss, &c., and 
we now have our moss 
branch complete and 
ready for use. It will 
dry soon and then can- 
(See fig. 3). 
A smooth branch that for a time remains flexi- 
ble can be made as follows: After winding as 
for a moss branch, give the tow a good thick coat 
of glue colored with burnt umber and a little 
glycerine added. When dry it is ready for use. 
I have seen very nice branches that were made 
by covering the wire with cloth instead of tow, 
but the process must be much longer. 
Stump Work. 
from old roots. 

Fig. 3. 
not be easily changed. 
Very fine stumps ean be cut 
They can be mounted on artifi- 
cial bases as described above, or the bottom can 
be sawed off square and no other stand used, 
Artificial branches can be fastened to them. 
They can be partly bronzed, and the effect of 
rubbing in various fragments is very striking. 
The tree, and other mosses can be stuck to them. 
ParieR Macuk Srumps. The papier maché 
should be used as a covering only for ordinary 
stumps. Cut natural sticks say from 1 to 3 
inches in diameter, and in the required lengths. 
Cover a large board with stiff paper and glue the 
stumps to the paper, distances apart enough to 
admit of working between them; give them a 
coat of glue and then mould them in shape with 
the papier maché prepared by the receipts, 
Knots, irregularities and the grain of the bark 
should be made. When dry they can be painted 
or stained, if the papier maché has not already 
been. They can then be torn from the paper and 
are ready for use. If they are made on the board 
without the paper it will be found very difficult 
to remove them. 
HoLtow Srumpscan be made as follows: Cut 
ORNITHOLOGIST 

[Vol. 11-No. 7 
two pieces of wood, one for the bottom and one 
for the top, nail cardboard or strong paper 
around it in cylinder form and where an opening 
is desired cut it through the paper. Give the 
outside of the paper a coat of glue and then cov- 
er with the papier maché, and moss branch added. 

When a number of birds are to mounted to- 
gether a tree is required, which may be made as 
follows: It is best in this case to build on the 
permanent base. Cut a dozen or so wires, about 
number 16, and fasten them in a circle to the 
centre of base or where the trunk is wished; bring 
the tops together in lots of three where the main 
branches are wished and wire them in place. 
Cover the wires with tow 
and give it a good coat of 
glue, then the papier maché. 
The moss or flexible 
branches can be fastened 
to the end of the wires, and 
the places where joined 
patched with moss. To pre- 
vent too much of a con- 
trast the lower parts of the 
branches should be touched 
with burnt umber and moss 
stuck to the papier maché 
part. Except in the simple 
single branch, I consider it 
best to make the branch or 
tree after the specimens are ready for them—ani- 
mals being the exception. 
Rock work. Peat, although not in general use 
in this country, I think in time may be. In Eng- 
land it is offered by dealers, in rough cakes. It 
is light and can easily be cut in desired shapes 
and can be painted. Ihave seen rocks made from 
it by Prof. Yeoman of New York, that were truly 
wonderful. Cork is used for small pieces, but the 
objection to it is the cost, 
For small pieces I would recommend making 
the form of excelsior, coating with glue, then 
paper (common newspaper), and then the papier 
maché. Cover it with sands. Some do it before 
the papier maché is dry, others with glue after 
dry. For large pieces—for animals such as foxes, 
