﻿2?0 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 



double the length of the natural one, since the lower 

 half will be in the middle of the back, and supply the 

 place of the vertebra, or back bone. Let this false neck 

 be rolled round between the hands, and then insert it 

 upwards to the roof of the mouth, by means of the 

 forceps : if possible, push it so firmly into the skull at 

 this part that it will take a slight hold, then draw down 

 the neck to its natural length by means of the other end 

 of the tow ; this will obviate the great defect of speci- 

 mens prepared by beginners where the neck is so much 

 stretched that it becomes double the true length: this 

 defect is caused by pushing the tow or cotton upwards, 

 in small bits instead of one entire piece, the latter 

 enabling the operator to shorten or lengthen the skin at 

 his own pleasure, just as any one can shorten or 

 lengthen a stocking upon his leg. This done, take a 

 needle of moderate size, with some silk, and commence 

 sewing up the skin in a zigzag direction^ always passing 

 the needle from the inside to the out, a mode by which 

 all entanglement from the feathers will be prevented. 

 From the point where the first incision of the skin was 

 made, begin to put in more stuffing (cotton is perhaps the 

 best), that the breast and body may have the plumpness of 

 the natural size: care must be taken, however, not to fill it 

 too much, for when once the skin is too much stretched, 

 and becomes dry, it can never be reduced, whereas it 

 may always be stretched hereafter by any subsequent 

 process used for softening or relaxing the skin, if it is to 

 be mounted : for this reason it is preferable to stuff the 

 fresh skin rather below tha n above the natural bulk. 

 After sewing up the skin, in the manner directed, to 

 within an inch of the vent, there is no need to proceed 

 farther. The opening then left will be sufficient for 

 inserting the forceps, and either adding to or diminish- 

 ing the quantity of stuffing. After adjusting the legs, 

 according to the rule already mentioned, and bringing 

 the wings to their natural position, your bird will be 

 finished. If the two mandibles of the bill are not even, 

 or gape, bring them together by passing a needle,^ with 



