BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [26] 



To tie the label to both legs (where they cross one another), is possi- 

 bly an advantage as making it less easy to tear the label off; but this 

 doubtful advantage is much more than counterbalanced by several dis- 

 advantages, which are unpleasantly realized when a measurement of 

 the tarsus has to be made or when one is describing or making a draw- 

 ing of the specimen. It is recommended, therefore, that the label be 

 always tied to one leg only, preferably the right. 



Drying shins. — Skins should be dried before they are packed for ship- 

 ment, otherwise they may mold. This may be done by exposing to the 

 sun for a short time (a longer time is of course required for larger speci- 

 mens), or keeping in a warm dry room for the necessary length of time. 

 They should not be dried too quickly, however as this will cause them 

 to become brittle, and, above all, never attempt to dry them by baking. 



Protection of sMns against insects. — No matter how well poisoned with 

 arsenic, skins are apt to be attacked by insects, which destroy or disfig- 

 ure parts not protected by the ])oison, as the bill, feet, shafts of the 

 quill- and tail-feathers, etc. In order to prevent this, the parts liable 

 to such injury should be painted with an alcoholic solution of oil of 

 bitter almonds, oil of red cedar, or some equally pungent substance, 

 and the box in which the specimens are packed should be tight as pos- 

 sible, and tobacco leaves, naplithaline, or camphor placed in with the 

 specimens. An alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate is very effect- 

 ive, but is also dangerous to the health, and its use is not to be recom- 

 mended unless other equally efficacious substances can not be obtained. 

 An excellent way to protect specimens from destructive insects is to 

 wrap each one in a piece of paper and gum together all the openings so 

 that insects can not enter — a drop of oil of red cedar or oil of bitter al- 

 monds, a few crystals of naphthaline, or something of the kind being 

 inclosed with the skin. 



§5. PAOKING SPECIMl^mS FOR SHIPMENT. 



If specimens are not properly packed they can not be expected to 

 reach their destination in good condition, but it is very easy to pack 

 them in the right way if the following rules are observed : 



(1) Never pack bird skins in the same box with geological speci- 

 mens, stone implements, deer heads, or other hard and heavy objects. 



(2) Place the largest birds at the bottom of the box, the smallest on 

 top. 



(3) Fill spaces between the specimens with "excelsior " packing or 

 some other dry elastic vegetable substance (not cotton, which is too 

 light, except for small birds alone). 



(4) Pack the box quite full. 



(5) Line the box, if practicable, with thick paper before the birds 

 are put in. 



