52 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 



beneath. See that the bones of the wing lie 

 along the sides, as they are liable to become 

 pushed forward in putting in the cotton. This 

 can be remedied by raising the cotton gently. If 

 the cotton body has been placed in the proper 

 position the neck will be full, but not over stuffed, 

 and of just the right length to form a skin that 

 has the appearance and size of a freshly-killed bird 

 lying on its back with the head straight. The bill 

 should be horizontal with the bench on which the 

 bird lies, and from which the specimen should not 

 be raised while at work on it. Now roll the skin 

 over and examine the back ; see that the wing 

 feathers, especially the scapularies, lie in regular 

 rotation, and that they have not been pushed one 

 above the other ; and the same attention should be 

 given to the tail. Note if the feathers of the back 

 lie neatly over the scapularies, and these in turn, 

 should be over the wing-coverts ; in short, all 

 should blend neatly, forming a smoothly rounded 

 back. Now place the skin, back down, in the 

 form, lifting, by placing the thumb and forefinger 

 on either side of the shoulders, which is the 

 proper way to handle a small skin, even when dry. 

 In placing the skin in the form, care should be 

 used that the cotton does not slip out of the skull, 



