MAKING SKINS. 6l 



length from the tip of bill to end of tail ; then the 

 extreme stretch of wing from tip to tip ; then the 

 length of one wing from the scapular joint to tip 

 of longest quill ; next, the length of tail from 

 end of longest feather to its base at the insertion 

 in the muscles ; now the length of bill along 

 culmen or chord of upper mandibles ; and of 

 tarsus from tarsal joint to base of toes. I have 

 a blank sheet ruled, and fill it out as per sample 

 (page 62). 



Section IX. : Making over Old Skins. — 

 Sometimes it is desirable in case of rare birds 

 to make over into presentable skins specimens 

 which have been improperly prepared. Prepare a 

 dampening box by placing a quantity of sand, 

 dampened so as to just drip water, in any metal 

 vessel having a tight-fitting cover. Then wrap 

 the specimen to be made over in paper, lay it on 

 the sand, and cover with a damp cloth folded 

 several times. Place the cover on the vessel and 

 set in a moderately warm place for about twenty- 

 four hours if the specimen be small, longer if 

 large. At the end of this time the skin will be 

 quite pliable. Then remove the cotton and 

 examine the inside of the skin carefully, and if 

 there are any hard places caused by the skin 



