VI MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 



experienced collectors in one locality to compare 

 notes as to the various improvements each has 

 made in skin-making and mounting birds, one aids 

 the other ; but there is always a multitude of be- 

 ginners who live in isolated localities and who do 

 not number experienced collectors among their 

 friends, and who consequently require the aid of 

 written instructions. Hence the need of books to 

 teach them. 



This little work, then, is intended to meet the 

 wants of amateur ornithological collectors, wher- 

 ever it may find them, for it is written by one w T ho 

 has at least had the advantage of a very wide ex- 

 perience in collecting skins, making and mounting. 

 He has also had the advantage of comparing his 

 methods with those of many excellent amateurs 

 and professional collectors throughout the country ; 

 and if he has not conferred any benefits on them, 

 he has at least gained much useful information, and 

 the results of all this are now laid before the 

 reader. 



, The art of taxidermy is very ancient, and doubt- 

 less had its origin among the very early races of 

 man, who not only removed the skins of birds and 

 mammals for clothing, but also for ornaments. 

 Birds and mammals were also frequently regarded 



