272 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OP BinDS. 
time necessary for the specimen to become quite dry, 
of course depends upon many local circumstances. In 
warm countries, two or three days’ exposure to the air 
will be sufficient ; but a week will be required in colder 
climates : if placed within the influence of a warm fire, 
the skin will become firm and dry much sooner. But 
even when the form of the specimen is thus fixed, the 
hood should not be removed, unless the bird is to he 
placed at once in the cabinet, for it keeps the feathers 
clean and smooth, and protects them from injury when 
the specimens are packed ; indeed, all birds that a.e 
sent from abroad, or stowed in a package, should have 
their heads protected by these hoods, provided they 
have been preserved in the first instance in such a 
manner that they can be fitted on. A person not ac- 
quainted with this mode of finishing a bird-skin, can 
have no idea of the neatness which even an ill-stuffed 
specimen will acquire after undergoing this last process ; 
and although it is not absolutely essential, no one, after 
witnessing its effects, will ever neglect it, if it was only 
for the gratification it gives to the eye of the operator. 
It may also he used much more generally with all birds, 
whatever the length of their necks may be, than might 
at first be imagined. No specimens are so troublesome 
to pack, and occupy so much room, whether upon a 
journey or in the cabinet, than the long-necked herons, 
waders, and ducks. Now, if we look to these birds in 
a state of nature, we see that the neck is very often 
brought down close to the breast, so that to preserve 
them in such a position is not only highly convenient, 
but even natural. This may lie done (but in the first 
instance only) by firmly securing one end of the false 
neck of tow, either in the hollow of the skull or by 
bringing it out at the mouth, and then contracting the 
neck to as short a length as possible ; the skin of a 
heron whose neck was extended to its full length in 
the first instance, may thus he brought to lay within 
two thirds of the space it would otherwise occupy, 
besides having a much better and neater appearance. 
