68 | HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN. 
so that the naturally flexed toes lie flat, all the claws mutually 
facing each other. See that the neck is perfectly straight, and, 
if anything, shortened rather than outstretched ; have the crown 
of the head flat on the table, the bill pointing straight forward,* 
the mandibles shut tightly.; Never attempt any ‘“‘ fancy.” atti- 
tudes with a birdskin; the simpler and more compactly it is 
made up the better.{ Finally, I say, hang over your bird (if 
you have time); dress better the feathers that were well 
dressed before; perfect every curve; finish caressingly, and 
put it away tenderly, as you hope to be shriven yourself 
when the time comes. 
There are several ways of laying a birdskin. A common, 
easy and slovenly way is to thrust it head first into a paper cone ; 
but it makes a hollow-chested, pot-bellied object unpleasant to 
see, and renders your nice work on the make-up futile. A 
paper cylinder, corresponding in calibre to the greatest girth 
of the birdskin, binds the wings well, and makes a good ordi- 
nary specimen— perhaps better than the average. Remarking 
that there are some detestable practices, such as hanging up 
a bird by a string through the nose (methods only to be men- 

* Exceptions. Woodpeckers, ducks and some other birds treated of in §39, are 
best set with the head flat on one side, the bill pointing obliquely to the right or 
left; owls, with the bill pointing straight up in the air as the bird lies on its back. 
tif the mandibles gape, run a thread through the nostrils and tie it tightly under 
the bill. Or, since this injures the nostrils (and we frequently want to examine 
their structure) stick a pin in under the bill close to the gonys, drawing it obliquely 
into the palate. Sometimes the skin of the throat looks sunken betwixt the sides 
of the jaw. A mere shred of cotton introduced with forceps through the mouth 
will obviate this. 
t Don’t cock up the head, trying to impart a knowing air—it cannot be done, and 
only makes the poor bird look ridiculous. Don’t lay the skin on one side, with the 
legs in perching position, and don’t spread the wings—the bird will never perch nor 
fly again, and the suggestion is unartistic because incongruous. The only permis- 
sible departure from the rule of severe simplicity is when some special ornament, 
as a fine crest, may be naturally displayed, or some hidden markings are desired to 
be brought out, or a shape of tail or wing to be perpetuated; but in all such cases 
the “flowery” inclination should be sparingly and judiciously indulged. It is, 
however, frequently desirable to give some special set to hide a defect, as loss of 
plumage, etc.; this may often be accomplished very cunningly, with excellent re- 
sult. No rules for this can be laid down, since the details vary in every case; buf 
in general the weak spot may be hidden by contracting the skin of the place and 
then setting the bird in an attitude that naturally corresponds, thus making a vir-_ 
tue of necessity. 


a ee 





