
HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 199 
placed eaeh in its proper place by means of the small for- 
ceps. If the eyes are not sufficiently plump a little cotton 
can be inserted through the eyelids, with a small quantity 
of putty, by which the glass eyes will be more firmly fixed ; 
the latter operation should receive much care, the eye should 
have its natural fulness, and the eyelids should be well 
rounded. The bird should then be bound with thread, 
wound about the various protruding wires. This operation 
is done to keep the feathers in plaee until they are firmly 
fixed. A bird should not be allowed to dry too quickly, as 
the skin is then liable to shrink, but it should be placed 
in some dry place, not too warm, where the skin can gradu- 
ally stiffen. When dry remove the thread, pull out the 
wires upon the back, and with the wire cutters, clip off the 
remainder close to the body. ‘To insure success, the taxi- 
dermist should have a correct knowledge of the habits of 
birds, that he may place his subject in a position character- 
istic of the species. The measures previously taken will aid 
im securing accuracy of form. 
Taxidermists, as a general thing, are apt to overstuff their 
Specimens, and the beginner should strive to avoid this. 
There are several attitudes assumed by birds in the living 
State, Which can be copied with advantage. To represent a 
bird in the flying position, its wings should be extended as 
für as possible, the tail placed horizontal and well expanded, 
the neck stretched forward and the legs drawn up close to 
" breast, with the toes closed. The wings may be spread 
_ by means of pointed wires inserted from the inside of the 
Cy» Up through the wings beneath the skin, as far as the 
epus, or fore arm. The wire can also be inserted from 
the outside near the joint of the carpus, and be foreed down 
the Wing between the skin and the bone, and thence trans- 
versely through the artificial body, into which it is fastened 
ee moins of ahook. These wires should be inserted before 
as leg "Wires are placed in position, and hooked into the 
“cial body, as in the former case. An interesting -— 
























