CHAPTER XL 



Relaxing and Cleaning Skins — "Making-up" feom 



Pieces. 



Relaxing- Skins. — In many instances, especially when col- 

 lecting abroad, it may be found incompatible with the time and 

 storage space at the disposal of the collector to set np birds and 

 animals in tbeir natural positions. To obviate these diflBlculties 

 we make a skin as previously described, and by this means 

 pack many in the space which would otherwise be occupied 

 by one. The time comes, however, when we wish to "set up" 

 the skins procured by ourselves, or by others, and for this pur- 

 pose we "relax " them. 



" Relaxing " is performed in various ways, but probably 

 the oldest plan is that of simply unstuflSng the skin, laying it 

 down on a board, wrapping the feet and legs round with wet 

 cloths or tow, and applying the same to the insides of the butts 

 of the wings, allowing the skin to remain from one to four or 

 five days in this position, according to its size ; then, when the 

 legs, feet, and wings are sufficiently damped, warm water is 

 poured into the orifices of the skin, and suffered to run out at 

 the eyes and beak. It is then ready for stuffing in the ordinary 

 way. 



Another "rough and ready" method is simply pouring hot 

 water through the bird's skin ; this relaxes just sufficiently to 

 bend the head, which many workmen of slovenly habits consider 

 quite sufficient ! 



The next most ancient method is relaxing by the plaster box, 

 which is a rough box, with a lid made to fit over all tightly, 

 and having the whole of its inside lined with a coating of 



o 



