52 
MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 
beneath. See that the bones of the wing lie 
along the sides, as they are liable to become 
pushed forward in putting in the cotton. This 
can be remedied by raising the cotton gently. If 
the cotton body has been placed in the proper 
position the neck will be full, but not over stuffed, 
and of just the right length to form a skin that 
has the appearance and size of a freshly-killed bird 
lying on its back with the head straight. The bill 
should be horizontal with the bench on which the 
bird lies, and from which the specimen should not 
be raised while at work on it. Now roll the skin 
over and examine the back ; see that the wing 
feathers, especially the scapularies, lie in regular 
rotation, and that they have not been pushed one 
above the other ; and the same attention should be 
given to the tail. Note if the feathers of the back 
lie neatly over the scapularies, and these in turn, 
should be over the wing-coverts ; in short, all 
should blend neatly, forming a smoothly rounded 
back. Now place the skin, back down, in the 
form, lifting, by placing the thumb and forefinger 
on either side of the shoulders, which is the 
proper way to handle a small skin, even when dry. 
In placing the skin in the form, care should be 
used that the cotton does not slip out of the skull, 
