276 



ox PRESERVING BIRDS. 



more than the fore part, and thus throw the beak 

 higher than you wish it to be, putting you in mind 

 of a star-gazing horse, prevent this fault, by tying a 

 thread to the beak, and fastening it to the end of the 

 box with a pin or needle. If you choose to elevate 

 the wings, do so, and support them with cotton ; and 

 should you wish to have them particularly high, apply 

 a little stick under each wing, and fasten the end of 

 them to the side of the box with a little bees'-wax. 



If you would have the tail expanded, reverse the 

 order of the feathers, beginning from the two middle 

 ones. When dry, replace them in their true order, 

 and the tail will preserve for ever the expansion you 

 have given it. Is the crest to be erect 1 Move the 

 feathers in a contrary direction to that in which they 

 lie, for a day or two, and it will never fall down after. 



Place the box anywhere in your room, out of the 

 influence of the sun, wind, and fire, for the specimen 

 must dry very slowly, if you wish to reproduce every 

 feature. On this account, the solution of corrosive 

 sublimate is uncommonly serviceable ; for at the same 

 time that it totally prevents putrefaction, it renders 

 the skin moist and flexible for many days. While 

 the bird is drying, take it out, and replace it in its 

 position once every day. Then if you see that any 

 part begins to shrink into disproportion, you can easily 

 remedy it. 



The small covert feathers of the wings are apt to 

 rise a little, because the skin will come in contact 

 with the bone which remains in the wing. Pull gently 

 the part that rises, with your finger and thumb, for a 

 day or two. Press the feathers down. The skin will 

 adhere no more to the bone, and they wiU cease to rise. 



