MAKING SKINS, 
6 1 
length from the tip of bill to end of tail ; then the 
extreme stretch of wing from tip to tip ; then the 
length of one wing from the scapular joint to tip 
of longest quill ; next, the length of tail from 
end of longest feather to its base at the insertion 
in the muscles ; now the length of bill along 
culmen or chord of upper mandibles ; and of 
tarsus from tarsal joint to base of toes. I have 
a blank sheet ruled, and fill it out as per sample 
(page 62). 
Section IX. : Making over Old Skins. — - 
Sometimes it is desirable in case of rare birds 
to make over into presentable skins specimens 
which have been improperly prepared. Prepare a 
dampening box by placing a quantity of sand, 
dampened so as to just drip water, in any metal 
vessel having a tight-fitting cover. Then wrap 
the specimen to be made over in paper, lay it on 
the sand, and cover with a damp cloth folded 
several times. Place the cover on the vessel and 
set in a moderately warm place for about twenty- 
four hours if the specimen be small, longer if 
large. At the end of this time the skin will be 
quite pliable. Then remove the cotton and 
examine the inside of the skin carefully, and if 
there are any hard places caused by the skin 
