OF MOUNTING BIRDS, FEATHER BY FEATHER. 45 
are much greater, in studying or even observing natural objects, 
than that which is enjoyed by man ina civilized state. 
We have seen a bird entirely mounted by the Indians of 
Guyana, which was placed in an attitude so fantastic, and so 
out of all possibility of the bird’s assuming in a natural condi- 
_ tion, that we could only suppose it to be the harlequin of birds. 
When these skins—frequently exceedingly valuable from 
their rarity—are undone, to be remounted, it is oftentimes found 
_ utterly impossible to get the wings to take a natural set; in 
which case, there is no other remedy but cutting them off close 
to the body, and fixing them anew. The scapulars are separated, 
_ they are softened with damp cloths, and then wrapped up with 
| bands of sheet lead, to give them a proper set. When we have 
| got them in their natural shape, they must be fixed to the sides 
by cement and cotton, and a long pin through each, with the 
| head concealed amongst the feathers. The scapulars, which 
we have cut off, must then be cemented on, and they will 
| effectually cover the joining of the wings. The bird being now 
arranged, and all the feathers adjusted, it is wrapped round 
| with small bands of fine linen or muslin, and set aside till 
_ thoroughly dry. 
Should any feathers be disengaged, during the mounting, 
they must be kept, and, when the bird is dry, we can replace 
them in their proper situations with a pair of forceps, after they 
have been touched on their shafis with the cement; the feathers 
around the place in which we intend to insert them, must be 
held up with the probing-needle (plate VI. fig. 10). 
li any of the feathers are deranged in mounting, and have 
got a wrong set, the only way to remedy the defect is to pull 
them out with forceps, and re-insert them with cement. 
OF MOUNTING BIRDS, FEATHER BY FEATHER. 
Rare birds are frequently received from foreign countries, 
the skins of which are in such a state of decay, that it is im- 
possible to mount them by the ordinary processes above de- 
scribed. The only way in which they can be preserved, is to 
mount them feather by feather, which however is a very tedious 
method. It is as follows. 
Procure a piece of soft pliable wire, such as is used by bell- 
