Bird Skinning and Mounting. 15 



Now we come to the 



MATERIALS 



required for stuffing. Cotton, tow, soft hay and 

 excelsior are the best, but anything soft will do, 

 except feathers, hair, or in fact any animal sub- 

 stance, as they act merely as assistants to the 

 taxidermist's great enemies — the bugs (Tineidae 

 and Dermestidae). 



POISON 



is used to preserve the skins. But as everything 

 of that description is dangerous for young and 

 inexperienced persons to handle, I strongly re- 

 commend the following preparation, and guaran- 

 tee it to preserve their first efforts until they 

 become an eye-sore, and are finally thrown into 

 the fire with much disgust. 



i. 



Pulverized Alum. 

 Common Salt. Equal parts. 



Mix. 

 Label : Salt and Alum. 



