MAKING SKINS. 57 



perienced persons, I stitch the bill to the skin of 

 the back. In addition to sewing on the inside of 

 the wing, stitch the wing firmly to the inside, by 

 sewing over the outer primary into a pinch of skin 

 on the side, thus the wing is fastened in two places. 



Ducks' skins may be made in a similar manner, 

 but the feathers of the side must be brought over 

 the wings, and the webs of the feet may be spread 

 with a wire, which must be removed, however, 

 when the feet are dry, or it will rust ; and galvan- 

 ized or brass wire is the best for making skins. 



Section V. : Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Vul- 

 tures, etc. — The skins of these large birds are 

 made in forms, but the wings must be stitched to 

 the sides, as in herons, etc. The necks must be 

 wired. In making the skins of all large birds it 

 is best to use bodies made of excelsior or grass, 

 rather than cotton, which does not make a firm 

 enough body. See remarks under mounting for 

 instructions for making bodies ; but they do not 

 need to be quite as solid for skins as in mounting ; 

 in fact, keep them as light as possible. Too much 

 care cannot be taken in forming the eyelids of all 

 birds, especially large ones. Have the cavity oc- 

 cupied by the eye round, with the cotton lying 

 smoothly inside, and not projecting in a ragged 

 manner. 



