46 
SOC. OF AM. TAXIDERMISTS, ANNUAL REPORT. 
sciile-like nature, wliich are easily made smootli. Otliers are of 
liair-like texture, are not so easy to arrange, and do not 
remain smootli at any time, even when the birds are living. 
But these directions apply reasonably to any species that will he 
likely to come within the reader’s experience. 
Two illustrations are given (Plate II, figs. 1 and 2), to show the 
results of winding the same bird properly and improperly ; the 
difference is due entirely to the way the pin hooks are placed, 
the number employed and the ivay the threads rest on the speci- 
men. The great difference can be seen at once, by the most 
inexperienced eye. 
It must be understood that these directions are o-iveii in tlie 
order of their application from the time the bird is placed on its 
feet until the toes are pinned, the bill tied, and the eyes set. In 
winding my birds I use the spools of cotton obtained from the 
cotton mills, technically called cops. It is very cheap, lasts along 
time, is a soft, yielding thread and can be placed on the 
lightest feather very neatl3L For large birds, common coarse 
thread or shoe-maker’s flax is the best. A few cuts with the 
scissoi's will clear the threads from the specimen ; pull the wires 
out of the back and breast, cut off those in the wings and 
the bird is read}^ for its final touches. 
