ON PRESERVING BIRDS. 



279 



On reflecting that this bird has been twice in the 

 temperate and torrid zone, and remained some years 

 in the hot and humid climate of Demerara, only six 

 degrees from the line, and where almost everything 

 becomes a prey to the insect, and that it is still as sound 

 and bright as when it was first done, it will not be 

 thought extravagant to surmise that this specimen will 

 retain its pristine form and colours for years after the 

 hand that stuffed it has mouldered into dust. 



I have shown this art to the naturalists in Brazil, 

 Cayenne, Demerara, Oroonoque, and Eome, and to the 

 royal cabinets of Turin and Florence. A severe accident 

 prevented me from communicating it to the cabinet of 

 Paris, according to my promise. A word or two more, 

 and then we will conclude. 



A little time and experience will enable you to pro- 

 duce a finished specimen. " Mox similis volucri, mox 

 vera volucris." If your early performance should not 

 correspond with your expectations, do not let that cast 

 you down. You cannot become an adept all at once. 

 The poor hawk itself, which you have just been dis- 

 secting, waited to be fledged before it durst rise on 

 expanded pinion ; and had parental aid and frequent 

 practice, ere it could soar with safety and ease beyond 

 the sight of man. 



Little more remains to be added, except that what 

 has been penned down with regard to birds, may be 

 applied, in some measure, to serpents, insects, and four- 

 footed animals. 



Should you find these instructions too tedious, let 

 the wish to give you every information plead in their 

 defence. They might have been shorter ; but Horace 

 says, by labouring to be brief you become obscure. 



