SEC. VII HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN 63 



end into the hollow of the merrythought, and so virtually begins 

 there instead of directly between the shoulders. The three mis- 

 takes most likely to be made by a beginner are, getting the body 

 altogether too large, not firm enough, and irregular. When properly 

 made, it will closely resemble the bird's body and neck, with an 

 inch or several inches of sharp-pointed wire protruding from 

 the anterior extremity of the neck of tow. You have now to 

 introduce the whole affair into the skin. With the birdskin on its 

 back, the tail pointing to your right elbow, and the abdominal 

 opening as wide as possible, hold the tow body in position relative 

 to the skin ; enter the wire, pass it up through the neck, bring the 

 sharp point exactly against the middle of the skull, pierce skull and 

 skin, causing the wire to protrude some distance from the middle 

 of the crown. Then by gentle means insinuate the body, partly 

 pushing it in, partly drawing the skin over it, till it rests in its 

 proper position. This is just like drawing on a tight kid glove, and 

 no more difficult. See that the body is completely encased ; you 

 must be able to close the abdominal aperture entirely. You have 

 next to wire the legs. Enter the sharp point of one of the leg- 

 wires already prepared, exactly at the centre of the sole of the foot, 

 thrusting it up inside the tarsal envelope the whole length of the 

 shank, thence across the heel-joint ^ and up along the next bone 

 of the leg, stiU inside the skin. The point of the wire will then be 

 seen within the skin, and may be seized and drawn a little farther 

 through, and you will have passed a wire entirely out of sight all 

 the way along the leg. The end of the wire is next to be fixed 

 immovably in the tow ball. Thrust it in at the point where the 

 knee, in life, rests against the side of the body.^ Bring the point 

 to view, bend it over and reinsert it till it sticks fast. There are no 

 special directions to be given here ; fasten the wire in any way that 

 effectually prevents wabbling. You may find it convenient to 

 wire both legs before fastening either, and then clinch them by 

 twisting the two ends together. But remember that the leg-wires 

 may be fixed respecting each other, yet permit a see-saw motion of 

 the body upon them. This must not be ; the body and legs must 

 be fixed upon a jointless frame. Having secured the legs, close the 

 abdominal opening nicely, either by sewing or pinning ; you may 

 stick pins in anywhere, as freely as in a pin-cushion ; the feathers 



^ There is occasionally difficulty in getting the wire across this joint, from the 

 point sticking into the enlarged end of the shin-hone. In such case, take stout 

 pliers and pinch the joint till the hone is smashed to fragments. The wire will then 

 pass and the comminution will not show. If there is any trouhle in passing the 

 wire through the tarsus, bore a hole for it with a hrad-awl. 



^ This point is farther forward and more belly-ward than you might suppose. 

 Observe the skinned body again, and see where the lower end of the thigh lies. If 

 you insert the wire too far back, you cannot by any possibility balance the bird 

 natiirally on its perch ; it will look in imminent danger of toppling over. 



