48 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 



within six months' time, as salted skins become 

 quite brittle if allowed to lie too long. They 

 should be kept in a dry place, as salt absorbs 

 moisture, which causes the skin to decay. They 

 are also liable after the first year to be attacked 

 by dermestes and anthrenus. 



Birds which are in a bad condition through 

 having been dead a long time may be sometimes 

 skinned, in case of rare specimens, by using great 

 care. Sprinkle the inside of the skin well with 

 preservative, as this tends to set the feathers, 

 being a stringent, keeping the skin as straight as 

 possible, as folding it is liable to loosen the 

 feathers. The intestines of birds may be removed 

 and the cavity salted when large birds are to be 

 sent from a distance. 



