42 ON STUFFING BIRDS. 
The box must now be placed out of the reach of the sun, 
air, or fire, so that the skin may dry slowly. The corrosive 
sublimate is of much service in this respect, for it renders the 
skin moist and flexible for many days. The bird should be 
lifted every day, so that any faults may be corrected which 
take place while drying. 
The small wing-coverts are apt to rise, owing to the skin 
coming in contact with the wing-bones. The part which rises 
should be gently pulled with the finger and thumb for a day 
or two, and the feathers pressed down. 
The feathers should be frequently adjusted so as to ren- 
der them distinct and visible. 
The legs begin to stiffen in three or four days, when it 
will be time to place them in the desired position; and the 
toes either arranged, or curved, so as to hold a branch, in which 
two spikes must be placed for the reception of the feet, whereon 
they are to be stuck, and can afterwards be removed at plea- 
sure. All the threads which kept the different parts in their 
laces may now be removed. 
Mr Waterton touches the whole feathers with the solution of 
corrosive sublimate, so as to preserve them from the attack of 
moths. He says, “ The surest way of proceeding is to im- 
merse the bird in the solution of corrosive sublimate, and then 
dry it before you begin to dissect it.” 
We must now describe the mode of setting up a bird with 
extended wings. After having proceeded with the stuffing as 
formerly directed, and the central supporting wires have been 
put in their places, pointed wires are to be thrust from the inside 
through the wings, reaching as far as the metacarpus and the 
carpus, (see plate I., fig. A & s),that is, to the arms and fore arms; 
the ends which remain in the body are formed into ovals, of the 
same size as those of the central wires, and firmly attached to 
them either with threads, or small wires. The wings may 
now be raised to any height wished, and disposed agreeably to 
the taste of the operator; and should he feel a difficulty in 
pleasing himself, a good engraving may be copied. 
Tf it is intended to represent the bird flying, its wings are 
extended to their utmost stretch, the tail placed horizontally, 
and expanded, the neck forced forward, the legs and feet 
drawn up close to the breast, with the toes closed. It may then 
