
HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. |. 189 























been obtained chiefly in this region by various naturalists, 
principally those of the Mexican Boundary and Pacific Rail- 
road Surveys. One which they seem to have overlooked, 
although the most remarkable, perhaps, because inhabiting 
such a desert region, I described, after my return, as Agas- 
sizs Land-tortoise (Xerobates Agassizii). In size it is 
about equal to the species of the Gulf Coast, but differs in 
color and other particulars. The Indians hunt for them on 
the mountains among cacti and other fleshy-leaved plants, 
on which they probably feed, rarely or never descending to 
the valleys. A Water-turtle (Actinemys marmorata) also 
lives in the Mojave River. One small Cyprinoid fish (Al- 
gansea formosa) has been found by Dr. Heermann in this 
stream. 
Towards the sink, or “Soda Lake,” which rarely contains 
water, the sand becomes very dry and almost bare of vege- 
tation. A few trees (Chilopsis linearis) of small size grow 
there, and among them I saw a flock of the Arctic Bluebird 
(Stalia arctica). The only other bird of interest seen east 
of this was the pretty Black-throated Finch (Poospiza bilin- 
eata), which is pretty common in the shrubby tracts. 

HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
BY C. A. WALKER. 
[Continued from page 146.] 
The method of collecting, preserving, and mounting birds. 
The first specimen procured, however “imperfect, should al- - 
. Ways be preserved until a better one can be obtained. As 
‘Soon as a bird has been killed, the following directions 
. Should be carefully observed. Fill the mouth, throat, nos- 
"i ls and vent with cotton; also any shot holes which may us 
discovered. If there is any fresh blood upon the feathers, 

