HINTS FOR ORNITHOLOGICAL TRAVELLERS. 
same must be done with the legs ; and the end of the tail must bo 
very carefully cleaned of all flesh, grease, the oil glands, &c. These 
being done, the bird is ready either to be set up and mounted, or 
made into a “ skin.” For the latter, it only remains to fill the 
skin, according to its size, with some soft material, such as tow, 
cotton, or wool, taking care not to distend it beyond or even so far 
as its natural bulk : previous to doing this, the inside of the skin 
should be well covered with whatever preserving paste or salve is in 
use ; and before inverting the head, it will be found more convenient 
to fill the orbits with cotton, which the skin draws easily over. The 
throat and neck may be stuffed from the mouth. Before the body 
is filled, the wings should be properly placed ; and it is sometimes 
convenient to tie the ends of the wing bones together inside. When 
sufficient stuffing has been used, the opening in the belly should be 
lightly stitched together. In conclusion, the skin should be put in 
the position desired, and so retained until dry, by a piece of cotton 
wool, linen or cotton cloth, or by a piece of not too stiff or hard 
paper, wrapped round and stitched or pinned. It is a convenient 
plan, to roll up and pin together a piece of paper, in the form of a 
cone , of suitable size to contain the head, neck, and breast of the 
bird while drying; the feathers are thus kept smooth, and the 
paper cones may be left on the specimens after they are packed 
away. The drying may be assisted, if necessary,* or in damp 
weather, by artificial heat, moderately applied at first. 
For the purpose of preserving the breast and belly very clean, it 
is often recommended to make the first incision below the wing or 
on the back, but we do not consider either of those modes so good 
as opening the belly ; and if the specimen should be intended to 
be mounted, the stuffer generally sews up the dorsal or lateral inci- 
sion, making the ordinary one in front for himself. N 0 wire or 
stick should he inserted in the legs, neck, or inside the skin, with 
the intention of keeping it straight; no salt should be used in any 
nortrik ^ Tin 5 n ° ° r String Sh0uW be I ,assed through the 
nostrils and the specimen should never be hung up to dry Is this 
always stretches the skin. t no aiy, as tins 
a S ?alpei e lrmfdt,1 iWW ^i fcm7e ’ is " f “"derate size, with 
hand buTTo ' h ’ f ° r h01 “ 0 US °’ ^ fixed in the 
have JSZSfSZit ClOS ° and * 
6 ay be used for ordinary purposes. 
