108 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



The leg-wires are arranged the same as described in 

 mounting birds with closed wings, and the skin sewed 

 up by cross-stitch ing. The wings should then be bent 

 with their backs near together, and bent also at the 

 joints to give them a natural curve. Nature is often rep- 

 resented by placing a stuffed bird or animal in the talons 

 of birds of prey before they are placed on stands. This 

 is done by running the front leg- wire through the speci- 

 men and resting it in a natural position. The ends of 

 long wires should be stuck in the back and carried up 

 under the wings, and doubled over the ends, to keep the 

 quill-feathers regular and in position until dry. Strips 

 of card-board should be pinned to the bird, to hold the 

 plumage in position. 



Birds to be suspended should have the wings raised 

 slightly more than horizontal, and be hung by a wire run 

 through the body from the back, and clinched in the breast. 

 The legs of a white pigeon should have the wires cut off 

 close to the feet, and then be bent in natural position. 

 An eagle, hawk, or owl, may be suspended with its prey 

 in its talons drawn closely to the body. 



There can be no positive rules of detail for the last 

 touches of this art, as a taxidermist's knowledge of an- 

 atomy and taste of arrangement will suggest the shape 

 and position of birds. 



