32 the taxidermist's guide. 



according to the size of the bird; something of the form of Fig. 9. 

 Cedar, or common laurel cut in December, will be found to 

 answer best, but this must be regulated by fancy and the require- 



Fig. 9. 



BRANCH FOR MOUNTING A BIRD. 



ments of the case ; oak boughs are sometimes of a good shape. 



The best time for preserving specimens is in Spring, because 

 then the cock birds are in the best feather, and the weather is not 

 too warm. In mild weather three days is a good time to keep a 

 bird, as then the skin will part from the flesh easily. If a speci- 

 men has bled much over the feathers, so as to damage them, 

 wash them carefully but thoroughly with warm water and a 

 sponge, and immediately cover them with pounded whitening, 

 which will adhere to them. Dry it as it hangs upon them slowly 

 before the tire, and then triturating the hardened lumps gently 

 between the fingers, the feathers will come out almost as clean as 

 ever. To test wiiether the specimen is too decomposed to skin, 

 try the feathers about the auriculars, and just above the tail, and 

 if they do not move you may safely proceed. 



Lay the bird on his back, and, parting the feathers from the 

 insertion of the neck to the tail, you will find inmost birds a 

 spare space. Cut the skin the whole length of this, and, passing 

 the finger under it on either side, by laying hold of one leg and 

 bending it forward, you will be able to bring the bare knee 

 through the opening you have made ; with your scissors cut 

 it through at the joint ; pull the shank still adhering to the 

 leg till the skin is turned back as far as it will go ; denude the 

 bone of flesh and sinew, wrap a piece of hemp round it, steeped 



