MATERIALS, ETC. 
17 
with the pliers force a piece of wire into it in the centre, 
then bend th*e wire in imitation of a branch or small tree, 
then wind it with hemp to give it the required shape ; 
additional wires may be fastened on to represent the smaller 
twigs. 
The whole is now to be covered with a coating of glue, 
and sprinkled with pulverized moss, or small pieces of 
moss are placed upon it smoothly. If the work is per- 
formed neatly, a perfect imitation of a little tree will be the 
result, upon which the bird is placed. If artificial leaves 
are to be used, they may be placed upon the twigs with 
glue. 
If, instead of a wire, a twig bent in the required form 
can be procured, and fastened to the bottom with wire, 
it may be covered with moss without winding with hemp. 
The fancy stands seen with dealers in birds are generally 
made of a substance called papier-mache, that is, manu- 
factured of paper pulp and glue as follows : Tear paper 
in small pieces and place it in water, let it stand over- 
night. Then, as it will be entirely soaked, reduce it to 
a perfect pulp, either by forcing it through a sieve or by 
stirring it. When reduced to a pulp, drain the water 
away. Dissolve a quarter of a pound of glue in a pint of 
water ; mix with this a pint of pulp, heat it, and stir it 
well; then it is ready for use. Prepare a stand as de- 
scribed. Mould the pulp upon it in any shape to suit 
the fancy. It should have the consistency of putty, in 
order to work well. If it is too thin, put in more of the 
pulp; if too dry, more water. 
With this substance you can imitate almost anything in 
the shape of miniature trees, with hollows, knots, crooked 
limbs, etc. By drawing over the whole, when finished, a 
comb, the bark of a tree can be imitated exactly. When 
perfectly dry, the limbs of the tree can be painted brown 
in the manner described. The bottom of the stand is 
B 
