STANDS AND ORNAMENTAL SUPPORTS. 91 
of mounted birds for public exhibition. In this instance, uni- 
formity and simplicity are desiderata. ‘Spread eagle” styles 
of mounting, artificial rocks and flowers, etc., are entirely out 
of place in a collection of any scientific pretensions, or de- 
signed for popular instruction. Besides, they take up too much 
room. Artistic grouping of an extensive collection is usually 
out of the question; and when this is unattainable, half-way 
efforts in that direction should be abandoned in favor of severe 
simplicity. Birds look best on the whole in uniform rows, as- 
sorted according to size, as far as a natural classification allows. 
They are best set on the plainest stands, with circular base 
and a short cylindrical crossbar lightly turned upright. The 
stands should be painted dead-white and be no larger than is 
necessary for secure support; a neat stiff paper label may 
be attached.* A small collection of birds, as an ornament to a 
private residence, offers a different case; here, variety of atti- 
tude and appropriate imitation of the birds’ natural surround- 
ings, are to be secured. A miniature tree, on which a number 
of birds may be placed, is readily made. Take stout. wire, and 
by bending it, and attaching other pieces, get the framework 
of the tree of the desired size, shape and number of perches. 
Wrap it closely with tow to a proper calibre, remembering that 
the two forks of a stem must be together only about as large 
as the stem itself. Gather a basket full of lichens and tree 
moss; reduce them to coarse powder by rubbing with the 
hands ; besmear the whole tree with mucilage or thin glue, and 
sift the lichen powder on it till the tow is completely hidden. 
This produces a very natural effect, which may be heightened 
by separately affixing larger scraps of lichen, or little bunches 
of moss; artificial leaves and flowers may be added at your 
taste. The groundwork may be similarly prepared with a bit 
of board, made adhesive and bestrewn with the same substance ; 
* A very simple and neat way of attaching the label to the stand is that used in 
the Peabody Academy of Science and other museums. It consists of narrow 
strips of tin bent over at each end so as to hold the label, and fixed to the stand by 
a small tack at any desired angle. These tins and neat red-lined labels can be had 
at the Naturalists’ Agency, or the printed names can be cut from the *“‘ Check List ” 
and used for labels for North American birds. 
