24 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTORS 



the bird, enough wood wool or alternative packing should be chosen to make 

 an artificial body to the same size as the original bird body which has been 

 removed earlier. Bind the packing material tightly with thin string to form 

 a firm "mannikin''. Select a length of galvanised wire which should be 

 about six inches longer than the bird's neck when in the flesh, and strong 

 enough to support the weight of the skull without bending too much. 

 Insert about three inches of the wire into the end of the mannikin and if 

 possible clench it tightly into place with pliers (fig. 17). Wrap the protruding 



Fig. 17. 

 length of wire with tow or cotton wool to within three inches of the top end, 

 using the original neck of the bird as a guide for diameter and length, and 

 bind firmly with strong thread or string. Sharpen the bare wire to a point 

 and insert the false neck and body mannikin into the skin. Force the wire 

 point into the base of the skull and on through the brain cavity until it emerges 

 through the plumage on the crown of the head. Slide the skull down the 

 wire until it fits onto the end of the false neck and then bend the surplus few 

 inches of wire under and over the bill. The wire can be cut off close to the 

 skull when the skin is dry. With the body in position the neck can be bent 

 to form an S-shape or doubled over the breast, and if necessary the bill can 

 be turned to one side (fig. 18). This makes it possible to store and transport 



