SEC. VII HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN 67 



button through a button-hole. Much art may be displayed in this 

 little matter, making a bird look this way or that, to carry out the 

 general expression. 



On finishing a specimen, set it away to dry ; the time required 

 varies, of course, with the weather, the size of the bird, its fatness, 

 etc. The more slowly it dries, the better ; there is less risk of the 

 skin shrinking irregularly. You will often find that a specimen set 

 away with smooth plumage and satisfactory curves dries more or 

 less out of shape, perhaps with the feathers raised in places. I 

 know of no remedy ; it may, in a measure, be prevented by scrupu- 

 lous care in making the body smooth and firm, and in securing 

 slow, equable drying. When perfectly dry remove the wrapping, 

 pull out the superfluous pins or wires, nip off the others so short 

 that the ends are concealed, and insert the eyes. The specimen is 

 then ready to be transferred to its permanent stand. 



Fixtures for the display of the object of course vary intermin- 

 ably. We will take the simplest case, of a large collection of 

 mounted birds for public exhibition. In this instance, uniformity 

 and simplicity are desirable. " Spread eagle " styles of mounting, 

 artificial rocks and flowers, etc., are entirely out of place in a 

 collection of any scientific pretensions, or designed for popular 

 instruction. Besides, they take up too much room. Artistic group- 

 ing of an extensive collection is usually out of the question ; and 

 when this is unattainable, half-way efforts in that direction should 

 be abandoned in favour of severe simplicity. Birds look best on 

 the whole in uniform rows, assorted according to size, as far as a 

 natural classification allows. They are best set on the plainest 

 stands, with circular base and a short cylindrical crossbar on a 

 lightly turned upright. The stands should be painted dead-white, 

 and be no larger than is necessary for secure support ; a neat stiff 

 paper label may be attached. A small collection of birds, as an 

 ornament to a private residence, offers a different case ; here variety 

 of attitude and appropriate imitation of the birds' natural surround- 

 ings are to be secured. A miniature tree, on which a number of 

 birds may be placed, is readily made. Take stout wire, and by 

 bending it, and attaching other pieces, get the framework of the 

 tree of the desired size, shape, and number of perches. Wrap it 

 closely with tow to a proper calibre, remembering that the two 

 forks of a stem must be together only about as large as the stem 

 itself. Gather a basketful of lichens and tree moss ; reduce them 

 to coarse powder by rubbing with the hands ; besmear the whole 

 tree with mucilage or thin glue, and sift the lichen powder on it 

 till the tow is completely hidden. This produces a very natural 

 effect, which may be heightened by separately affixing larger scraps 

 of lichen, or little bunches of moss ; artificial leaves and flowers 



