SEC. vn ffOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN 65 



together or symmetrically opposite each other, the quills and 

 coverts -will be smoothly imbricated, the scapular series of feathers 

 will lie close, and no bare space will show in front of the shoulder. 

 Much depends upon the final adjustment of the head. The 

 commonest mistake is getting it too far away from the body. In 

 the ordinary attitudes of most birds little neck shows, the head 

 appearing nestled upon the shoulders. If the neck appears too 

 long, it is not to be contracted by pushing the head directly down 

 upon it, but by making an S curve of the neck. No precise 

 directions can be given for the set of the head, but you may be 

 assured it is a delicate, difiicult matter ; the slightest turn of the 

 bill one way or another may alter the whole expression of the bird. 

 You will of course have determined beforehand upon your attitude, 

 upon what you wish the bird to appear to be doing ; then, let your 

 meaning be pointed by the bird's bill. 



On the general subject of striking an attitude, and giving 

 expression to a stuffed bird, little can be said to good purpose. If 

 you are to become proficient in this art, it will come from your 

 own study of birds in the field, your own good taste and apprecia- 

 tion of bird -life. The manual processes are easily described and 

 practised ; it is easy to grind paint, I suppose, but not so to be an 

 artist. I shall therefore only follow the above account of the 

 general processes with some special practical points. After "at- 

 titudinising " to your satisfaction, or to the best of your ability, the 

 plumage is to be carefully dressed. Feathers awry may be set 

 in place with a light spring forceps, or needles fixed in a handle, 

 one by one if necessary. When no individual feather seems out of 

 place, it often occurs that the general plumage has a loose, slovenly 

 aspect. This is readily corrected by wrapping with fine thread. 

 Stick a pin into the middle of the back, another into the breast, 

 and perhaps others elsewhere. Fasten the end of a spool of sewing 

 cotton to one of the pins, and carry it to another, winding the 

 thread about among the pins, till the whole surface is covered with 

 an irregular network. Tighten to reduce an undue prominence, 

 loosen over a depression ; but let the wrapping as a whole be light, 

 firm, and even. This procedure, nicely executed, will give a smooth- 

 ness to the plumage not otherwise attainable, and may be made to 

 produce the most exquisite curves, particularly about the head, 

 neck, and breast. The thread should be left on till the bird is 

 perfectly dry; it may then be unwound or cut ofi^, and the pins 

 withdrawn. When a particular patch of skin is out of place, it 

 may often be pulled into position and pinned there. You need not 

 be afraid of sticking pins in anywhere : they may be buried in the 

 plumage and left there, or withdrawn when the skin is dry. In 

 addition to the main stuffing, a little is often required in particular 



