48 
MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 
within six months’ time, as salted skins become 
quite brittle if allowed to lie too long. They 
should be kept in a dry place, as salt absorbs 
moisture, which causes the skin to decay. They 
are also liable after the first year to be attacked 
by dermestes and anthrenus. 
Birds which are in a bad condition through 
having been dead a long time may be sometimes 
skifined, in case of rare specimens, by using great 
care. Sprinkle the inside of the skin well with 
preservative, as this tends to set the feathers, 
being a stringent, keeping the skin as straight as 
possible, as folding it is liable to loosen the 
feathers. The intestines of birds may be removed 
and the cavity salted when large birds are to be 
sent from a distance. 
