104 



PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



Wire the legs by running pointed wires through them 

 from the center of the feet up behind the bones. Fasten 

 the leg-bones to the wires by wrapping them with tow and 

 twine, making the legs a trifle smaller than they were 

 naturally. Slip the wires further through the legs and 

 let them pass obliquely through the body from the sides 

 to the fore-breast. Clinch them firmly in the body, 





ii 



PIN-TAHi DUCK PROPERLY MOUNTED. 



straighten the legs parallel with the sides, fill out the 

 throat and front of the breast with soft stuffing to nat- 

 ural size, then sew up the skin. Smooth down the plu- 

 mage, bend in a natural position, and fasten to a stand. 



Apply mucilage to the inside of the eyelids, press the 

 artificial eyes tightly in position, then ^* pick out " the 

 eyelids over the eyes with a needle. 



With large birds, a little modelling is necessary to per- 

 fect the anatomy around the eyes. Care should be taken 

 in arranging the eyelids naturally, as it adds greatly to 

 the life-like appearance. Fasten the bill together, by 



