308 



ON PRESERVING BIRDS. 



Preserving caiise yoli to dissect wcU. These may be called the mere 



Birds. 



mechanical requisites. 



Stuffing. In stuffing, you require cotton, a needle and thread, a 

 little stick, the size of a common knitting-needle, glass 

 eyes, a solution of corrosive sublimate, and any kind 

 of a common temporary box to hold the specimen. These 

 also may go under the same denomination as the former. 

 But, if you wish to excel in the art, if you wish to be in 

 ornithology, what Angelo was in sculpture, you must apply 

 to profound study, and your own genius to assist you. 

 And these may be called the scientific requisites. 



Requisite to You must liavc a Complete knowledge of ornithological 



have a f b b 



thorough anatomy. You must pay close attention to the form and 



Knowledge 



ofOrnitho- attitude of the bird, and know exactly the proportion 



logical Ana- ^ 



tomy. each curve, or extension, or contraction, or expansion of 

 any particular part bears to the rest of the body. In a 

 word, you must possess Promethean boldness, and bring 

 down fire, and animation as it were, into your preserved 

 specimen. 



Examine Repair to tlic liauuts of birds, on plains and mountains, 



the economy 



of the orders forcsts, swamps, and lakes, and give up your time to 



of birds. 



examine the economy of the different orders of birds. 



Then you will place your eagle, in attitude command- 

 ing, the same as Nelson stood in, in the day of battle, 

 on the Victory's quarter-deck. Your pie will seem 

 crafty, and just ready to take flight, as though fearful of 

 being surprised in some mischievous plunder. Your 



