100 THE TAXIDERMIST'S GUIDE. 



in paper. It is of the utmost consequence that not a bone should 

 be lost. 



In shooting birds, it is of much importance not to use the shot 

 too large ; indeed, it ought to be proportioned, as nearly as possi- 

 ble, to the size of the bird to be shot at. When the bird is killed, 

 the blood must be carefully wiped away, and a little cotton must 

 be put into the bill to prevent the blood flowing from it to injure 

 the feathers. The wound should also be stuffed with cotton. 



Birds should be skinned as soon as possible, as the feathers are 

 apt to fall off if kept too long. The os coccygis must be kept at- 

 tached to the skin. If several individuals of the same species be 

 killed, one should, if possible, be preserved entire in spirits, with 

 the whole muscles of the body. If the bird has a fleshy crest, it 

 ought to be preserved in spirits. 



It is of the utmost consequence to procure the male, female and 

 young, and these at different ages besides, as many species are 

 subject to great variety, in their progress from the young to the 

 adult state. This is more particularly the case with Eagles and 

 Hawks, many of which have been described as different species 

 in their immature state. The eggs and nest should also be pro- 

 cured. 



Reptiles.— The chief thing to be attended to in skinning reptiles 

 is not to injure the scales ; and in the Lizard kind, care must be 

 taken not to break the tail. But for all the smaller and middle 

 sized species, the best mode is to preserve them in spirits ; and of 

 the larger kinds which are skinned, the skeletons ought to be kept. 

 The flesh should be taken away with knives and scalpels as well 

 as possible, and the bones thoroughly dried, and packed in a box 

 with cotton or grass, and they can be articulated after they are 

 brought home. When the skeletons are too large, they may be 

 separated into convenient parts for packing. 



Fishes. — Many species are common to all seas, but there are 

 a vast number which are quite local. Unless, therefore, the trav- 

 eler is certain of the frequency of those he meets with in his own 

 country, he ought to bring them home. River and fresh water 

 fishes generally are subject to great variety, every lake and river 

 having varieties peculiar to itself, which the experienced fisher, or 

 naturalist, can at once detect. It is, therefore, very interesting to 

 be possessed of these varieties. 



