54 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 
the body and under the form, so that the threads 
lie about a quarter of an inch apart, ending with 
the throat. Now arrange all the feathers which 
may have become disarranged under the threads, 
and place the skin away to dry where there is no 
draft, for a slight breeze will be sure to blow some 
of the feathers out of place. (For the form of a 
skin, see Fig. io.) 
Fig. io. 
Another method of making skins which may be 
practised to advantage is as follows : After the 
skin is ready to place in the form, wrap it closely 
in a very thin layer of nice cotton batting, taking 
care that the feathers lie perfectly smooth, although 
these may be partially arranged through the cot- 
ton, which must be thin enough for the feathers 
to be seen through it. The skin is then laid aside 
to dry without placing in the form. 
Skins should not be exposed to too great artificial 
heat, neither should they be left to dry during 
