COLLECTING. 29 



then with a pointed stick, or the knife, plug the 

 hole with a little cotton, and sprinkle plaster, or 

 better, some of my preservative, on the spot. 

 Next plug the mouth with cotton, taking care to 

 push the wad down far enough to allow the bill to 

 close, for if the mandibles are left open the skin of 

 the chin and upper throat will dry, causing the 

 feathers to stand upright. Smooth the specimen 

 lightly and place it, head down, in a paper cone, 

 which should be long enough to allow folding the 

 top without bending the tail feathers. Then the 

 bird may be placed in a fish basket, which is the 

 best receptacle for carrying birds, as it is not only 

 light to carry, but also admits the air. Never 

 shut a bird up in a close box in warm weather, as 

 it will spoil very quickly. Care of a bird in the 

 field will save much labor, and your cabinet speci- 

 mens will look enough better to warrant it. 

 Blood left under the plumage gradually soaks 

 through the feathers, thus causing them to 

 become matted, when they are exceedingly diffi- 

 cult to clean. Some specimens however, will 

 bleed, and if they are to be preserved this blood 

 must be removed. I have always found it best 

 to wash the blood off in the first water I could 

 find, and then let the bird dry, either by carrying 



