34 Handbook of Taxidermy. 



CHAPTER II. 



PERCHES. 



A very pretty perch can be made by arrang- 

 ing wires in the shape of a twig or branch, having 

 one end firmly fastened in a block of wood. 

 Wind the wires to the proper size with tow, 

 and after giving the whole a coating of thin glue, 

 sprinkle over it smalts and dry moss, rubbed fine 

 in the hands ; when this is dry, you can glue on 

 artificial leaves, flowers, and grasses as your taste 

 prompts. Another good perch for small birds is 

 a stump made of pasteboard, with a small open- 

 ing on one side. Cover this with the same mate- 

 rials as above. It should be about an inch and 

 a half in height. Another perch is made by re- 

 ducing pasteboard to a pulp, and moulding it 

 around a twig or wire form. Boil the paste- 

 board to a pulp in a little water. Then force 

 through a coarse sieve, and mix with thin glue. 



