THE SETTING-UP OF BIRDS WITH HARD BODIES 191 



hold the tail firmly in position until the feathers are set. Often 

 it will be found practicable to use the tail-wire, instead of an 

 independent one, for this purpose ; and two separate strips of 

 card will do, but not so well, as one folded. In large birds, it 

 may be necessary to keep the curvature of the cardboard from 

 getting out of shape by threading another wire throughout 

 its length. Another method, but hardly necessary, is the 

 making of arches of light wood to be used under the tail, with 

 a permanently fixed wire, and a thread which passes over the 

 arch from side to side and is held by slits therein, for the re- 

 tention of the tail-feathers on their upper surface. 



The binding is done after the bird is finally "feathered," 

 which latter consists in pulling, and pricking, and brushing 

 feathers into place. Procure some sharp pins ; fine steel pins 

 with glass heads are the best for large birds, and may be used 

 many times, and long entomological pins for small birds. Insert 

 one or more of these in or along the centre of the back, one or 

 more in the breast, one under the tail, and sometimes two in 

 the flanks, making, with the ends of the two wires sticking out 

 from the wings, several points of attachment. 



Tie one end of the thread to one of the pins in the back, 

 wind it over to one of the flank-wires or pins and back again, 

 and so on, making use of any pin or wire which may be con- 

 venient, and binding with a light hand until quite sure that the 

 feathers falling over the butts of the wings are well bound. 

 When the back is done bind the breast, also from side to side, 

 assisted by the centre pins, but there is no particular rule for 

 doing this ; the only things to be considered are, not to tighten 

 the threads too much, and that an expert will use half as much 

 thread or cotton as a beginner, and do more work with it. 



What is stated to be an improved method of binding was 

 given by Mr. Frederic S. Webster,^ and consists merely in 



1 Second Annual Refort American. Taxidermists, 1881-82, pp. 41-46. 



