PAPERING AND TINTING CASES. 161 



The top of a case should be of uniform color, pale-blue 

 being generally most effective. Kalsomine, thinly mixed, 

 should be used, and must be well distributed. A flat 

 brush produces the smoothest surface. 



Ordinary work can be done with a brush of fine bristles, 

 but one of camel's hair is preferable. If a heavy brush is 

 employed, the kalsomine should be made thicker. 



ARTIFICIAL TREES. 



Artificial trees are preferable to natural ones, as they 

 can be bent into any shape, and will accommodate all posi- 

 tions of birds. The wires upon which they are made, 

 keep them firmly in place, and they are generally adopted 

 by modern taxidermists. 



THE COTTON TREE. 



The tree is made by winding strips of cotton-wadding, 

 wet with flour paste, around wires. The wadding should 

 be torn in strips of a convenient width, and the strips are 

 then split. One end of the wire should be bent and turn- 

 ed like a crank with the right hand, while the cotton and 

 other end of the wire is held between the thumb and fin- 

 gers of the left. By this means the wire is easily covered 

 with the cotton. If the latter should become dry, wet 

 the fingers with paste, from time to time. 



For making large trees, several sized wires are necessary. 

 Two large pieces should be covered with cotton for a few 

 inches, and the wire below twisted together for the cen- 

 ter of the tree. 



The cotton should then be put on, from the fork, down 

 the two wires a short distance, and another limb added 

 and twisted. Additional limbs, increased in size, should 

 be added, until form is completed. Leave to dry, then 

 bend the tree in position and give a coat of thin sizing of 

 glue. When this is dry, another coat is necessary ; after 



