vi 
MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 
experienced collectors in one locality to compare 
notes as to the various improvements each has 
made in skin-making and mounting birds, one aids 
the other ; but there is always a multitude of be- 
ginners who live in isolated localities and who do 
not number experienced collectors among their 
friends, and who consequently require the aid of 
written instructions. Hence the need of books to 
teach them. 
This little work, then, is intended to meet the 
wants of amateur ornithological collectors, wher- 
ever it may find them, for it is written by one who 
has at least had the advantage of a very wide ex- 
perience in collecting skins, making and mounting. 
He has also had the advantage of comparing his 
methods with those of many excellent amateurs 
and professional collectors throughout the country ; 
and if he has not conferred any benefits on them, 
he has at least gained much useful information, and 
the results of all this are now laid before the 
reader. 
The art of taxidermy is very ancient, and doubt 
less had its origin among the very early races of 
man, who not only removed the skins of birds and 
mammals for clothing, but also for ornaments. 
Birds and mammals were also frequently regarded 
