198 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



canals) of the neck vertebrae until it comes out inside the body 

 at the dorsal vertebrae. In like manner run a suitable wire 

 (not too thick) inside the bones of both wings ; this will be 

 more difficult, and will require care and the bone-piercer (No. 

 20) before successful accomplishment. Finally, wire both legs 

 throughout their length from the outside inwards, making the 

 points fast inside the skeleton. 



Now paint the bones and the skin liberally with the preserva- 

 tive, Formula 5 7. Arrange the bones somewhat in the attitude 

 required,' and wrap the leg and wing of the unopened side with 

 tow to the shape and size of the flesh removed, and with wadding 

 or tow replace also the flesh of the body. A piece of board or 

 a stand of sufficient size should next be procured, and holes 

 made therein in which to insert the leg-bones, which done, 

 arrange the attitude of the bird in an easy position, add to or 

 withdraw the wadding or tow until the body is shaped cor- 

 rectly, and, with a needle and thread, catch up the skin of the 

 body here and there and make fast either to the leg, or to the 

 skin of the back of the opened side of the neck, then, with 

 ordinary care in placing the wing and feathers, the whole skin 

 can be adjusted beautifully and correctly, as in nature, on one 

 side, leaving the skeleton partly exposed on the other, and, 

 when dry, the stitches and the neck-feathers on that side, and 

 any others interfering with a full view of the internal skeleton, 

 can be cut away, leaving the bird as shown on Plate XI. 



. Observe, now in the figure how the bones of the wing fold, 

 and where they come into place ; also, most important of all, 

 observe how. far forward the knee {i.e. the junction of the tibio- 

 tarsal with the femur) comes, and how the length and bend of 

 the latter allow it to do so. Note further, on the other side, how 

 the feathers fall over the anterior border of the wing, and how 

 neatly and wedge-shaped they lie between the legs to the tail. 

 Let a bird treated in this way — which is scientifically 



