102 



PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



the thread is brought round underneath the bird's lower man- 

 dible, and is tied in a knot to keep the beak closed. 



In the course of a week or so, when sufficiently dry, the 

 bandage is removed, and thus we have what is technically 

 called a " skin." 



This is the loose body method of making skins ; perhaps a 

 better plan is making a body — see farther on — on wire, which 

 should not come through the top of the head, or on a piece of 

 stick (a lucif er match with the top broken off will do for small 

 skins) coming into the base of the skull ; this gives a great 

 support to the neck, and prevents the common fault of the skin 

 breaking away just above the shoulders. 



If great nicety is desired — and neatness in making a skin is 



CARDBOARQ 



BD7T0M BOARD 



rig. 24.—" Set " or Drting Board for Birds' Skin£ 



everything — remember particularly not to overstuff it; it willl 

 really require just about half as much packing as you would at 

 first imagine sufficient to fill it. Be careful as to the set of the 

 wings, at the shoulders especially ; and after having coaxed 

 every feather with loving care into its proper position, wrap the- 

 whole skin in a sheet of wadding, leaving the ends open, and put 

 away in a secure place to dry. Another method of shaping- 

 skins whilst drying is described by Mr. Batty, the well-known 

 American taxidermist, who makes a drying board for small 

 skins in the following manner (see Fig. 24) : Procure a piece 

 of board of the length and width you require, on which nail 

 on edge f-inch slips of wood two inches high at intervals, 

 required; between these supports stretch stout cardboard in 



