MOUNTING BIRDS WITH CLOSED WINGS. 



103 



Pass the short end of the wire up through the tow and 

 back of the skull, clinch firmly by repassing it through 

 the fore part of the skull and fasten it through the eye- 

 hole with a pair of round-nosed pliers. 



Fill out the eyes to nearly their natural size with putty 

 or potter's clay, and dust the whole fleshy side of the skin 

 with dry arsenic, which is best applied with the hind foot of 

 a hare. Fat birds, and particular- 

 ly large ones, should have the 

 skin well primed with arsenical 

 soap. Between the wings and on 

 the shoulders of the bird-skin, 

 are two yellowish lines where the 

 quills of the feathers are inclined 

 to protrude through the skin. 

 These should be caught up with 

 a needle and thread, and drawn 

 nearly together, then tied in posi- 

 tion. In a skin of a bird of the size 

 of a red-tailed hawk, they should 

 be tied an inch and a half apart. 

 Other bird-skins should be drawn 

 up in proportion to their size. 



Return the leg-bones in posi- 

 tion, and also the skin, by passing 

 the head through the neck. Pick 

 out the eye-lids in their natural 

 form, with a needle or small for- 

 ceps, and arrange the plumage 

 smoothly. Make a body the shape and size of the natural 

 one, by rolling up a bunch of excelsior, sea-grass, or tow, 

 winding into form with twine or thread. Pass the neck- 

 wire through the body lengthwise, pull the skin carefully 

 over the body, and clinch the protruding neck-wire firmly. 

 Never use skeleton or soft bodies, as they will not hold 

 wires sufficiently tight to keep a bird in form. 



SKTN READY FOR RE- 

 TURNING. 



