STUFFING 



381 



19. After a little lifting of the skin, pulling out of the 

 wings, and sliding up of the legs, so that the upper end of 

 the tibia bone comes to its proper position against the body, 

 close the skin along 

 the belly and, if 

 necessary, sew it 

 with a stitch or two. 

 The legs extend out 

 straight behind, and 

 in this condition the 

 bird is to be placed 

 on the stand. The 

 two holes for the 

 leg wires should be 

 about one inch 

 apart. These holes 

 are made with the 

 small brad awl. 

 Introduce the leg 

 wires, and, when the feet rest properly on the crosspiece, bend 

 the wires below so that the bird is held firmly. 



20. The bird is now to be given position and form. Pirst 

 bend the leg wires at the heel and knee ; then slide down the 

 head so that the neck is not too long, and give the head and 

 neck their proper position and form. 



21. The last wire is next to be used to set the tail. Bend it 

 upon itself so as to make a staple-like form about a half inch 

 wide and nearly 2 inches long. Pass this through the skin 

 at the base of and under the tail and then into the body, and 

 bend it, if necessary, so that the tail will rest upon it and hide 

 it. The under tail coverts will hide the wire. Lift the wings, 

 stretch them out, and move them back against the body till 

 you find the feathers taking proper position around them. 

 Pin each in place with about three pins. In fixing the second 

 wing, care must be taken that it matches the one already 

 fastened. Wherever any feathers seem out of place or twisted, 



