IN MUSEUMS. 



99 



over the back. If the cabinet naturalist cannot arrest all these shades 

 of distinction, and a thousand others, which are still more fugitive — if, 

 in order to stuff them, he is reduced to the necessity of copying en- 

 gravings which are often faulty, his birds will* never have that air of 

 grace and animation, and that appearance of life, which at once sur- 

 prises and delights us. 



Specimen of a cabinet picture of a kestril (Falco tinnunculus) devouring a bird. 



The taste of the artist can alone guide him in choosing subjects 

 with which to compose a group ; but there are, nevertheless, certain 

 materials which are commonly used, and those I shall enumerate. 

 The branches on which the birds are generally placed may be sought 

 for by the skirts of woods, and are usually the branches of plum trees, 

 which have been cropped by cattle, and are covered with mosses and 

 white and yellow lichens, branches of old pear trees, and the like. 



The branch being chosen, it is placed on the stand, the lower end 

 being inserted in a hole made to receive it, and secured with glue to 

 keep it in the proper position. Extremely fine steel wire is used to 

 tie on artificial leaves and flowers, which may be had of persons who 

 manufacture such articles. 



At the turners may be procured those little shavings which they 

 detach from their horn ware ; these, when died green or yellow, may 

 be disposed with great advantage to resemble mosses or lichens,, espe- 

 cially if bey are somewhat notched ; longer pieces of the same will 



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