ORNITHOLOGICAL OBJECTS. 373 



The root of the tail remains to be dissected of all 

 the flesh and fat that adheres to it, taking care to remove 

 the oil gland. Anoint well with the solution, and also 

 apply the solution now to the other parts of the skin 

 which have not already received it, and then you have 

 the perfect skin of your bird ready for the finishing 

 process. 



Obtain a piece of wire — wood answers the purpose as 

 well — and proceed to wrap it round with wool, to make 

 an artificial neck, which, after the wool that was placed 

 inside during the operation of skinning is removed, must 

 be pushed up the neck of the skin, care being taken that 

 it is not too long, for if allowed to dry in that position 

 no skill can afterwards remedy it. The body of the 

 bird is now filled with cotton wool, care being taken to 

 make your specimen a little more bulky than it was 

 originally, to allow for it shrinking, and with your needle 

 and thread proceed to sew up the skin, beginning on the 

 breast and ending at the tail, being careful not to dis- 

 arrange the plumage. 



Here then lies your specimen, looking a trifle larger 

 than before, but otherwise resembling it in its general 

 appearance. Now, as a finishing touch, anoint the mouth 

 and throat with the solution, the orbits of the eyes, which 

 should be properly adjusted with your needle, the tips of 

 the wing-bones, and, finally, the legs and feet. Arrange 

 any of the plumage that may chance to be disordered, 

 and your specimen, if you have minutely followed these 

 few brief instructions, »vill please you, and you need have 

 no fear that the insects will attack it, or that its pristine 

 • beauty will materially fade. 



A word as to your plan of reference, and then I will 

 conclude. You may adopt a simiJar plan to that recom- 

 mended for eggs ; but on a label, attached to the leg of 

 the bird, should be noted the following particulars. 



