42 
THE NATURALIST’S GUIDK 
scribed, then make a body, as before, and place a wire of 
the proper size and length in the usual place for the neck, 
and wind it with hemp to the natural size ; place the head, 
wings, feet, and tail in the proper position; then, after 
spreading glue upon the body, place each feather or piece 
of skin carefully in its proper place, commencing at the 
tail and working towards the head ; when this is finished, 
bind the bird as usual. 
Birds that have been mounted require at least ten days 
for the skin to dry before the thread is removed, which is 
done by cutting down the back with scissors, after which 
cut off all protruding wires, and unplait the tail-feathers 
and smooth them. To elevate the crest of a bird, or any 
other naturally elevated feathers, — such as the elongated 
feathers on the necks of some species of Grouse, etc., — roll a 
piece of cotton into a ball, and force a pin or piece of sharp- 
ened wire through it (Plate VIII. Fig. 5, g). Place this wire 
or pin in the bird in such a manner that the feathers to 
be elevated may rest on the cotton in a natural position 
(Fig. 5, b). After the skin becomes hardened the cotton 
may be removed, and the feathers will retain the desired 
position. 
