193 HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
tific researches. Even should they not be destined for these 
purposes, the amateur will find his collection rendered far 
more interesting and instructive. 
The collector should be provided with a light double- 
barrelled gun, the best of powder, and shot of various 
sizes, No. 10 being used for killing small birds, as it is 
least injurious to the plumage. Humming Birds should be 
killed with dust shot. Early in the morning and after sun- 
set are the best periods of the day for procuring birds. If 
the collector be in any tropical country, he should choose 
early dawn for his excursions, on account of the coolness of 
the air. It is also the time when the birds are seen and 
heard in greatest numbers. Birds in tropical countries are 
generally so tame, that they can be easily approached and 
with little skill; a sufficient number can be killed in the 
space of two or three hours, to occupy the collector during 
the remainder of the day. It is a good rule never to kill 
more specimens than can be pesce during the day. In 
some parts of tropieal America, Humming Dirds, Creepers, 
and other small birds are shot with blow-pipes by the na- 
tives, and they are killed in this manner without the least 
injury to their plumage. Many are also caught by means of 
birdlime, and in springes, and specimens ouied by these 
means are the best for preservation. 
The method of skinning a bird. — One of the most impor- 
tant points of taxidermy, is a correct knowledge of the 
method of skinning a bird, so that when the operation is 
finished, the skin may be as perfect as possible and free from 
all stains. Itis impossible for any one to mount a speci- 
men neatly and artistically, from a soiled or mutilated skin. 
There are many instances, however, in which it may be nec- 
. essary to mount poor skins from their rarity; these should 
` never be rejected, for a specimen badly stuffed is better than 

none at all, and will answer until a more perfect one can be 
obtained. There: are two things essential to success, ViZ. 
and : ; and a good store of both will enable 




