PREPARING AND STUFFING ANIMALS 
supplied by stuffing ; in either case the position of the legs is 
a very important element of success. In posing a bird, the 
talons should never extend beyond the rump-bone, but much 
will depend on the attitude the bird is to assume. 
Where the tail is a small one, and is intended for a sitting or 
perching bird, the single wire loop attached to the cork will 
generally support it. But where the tail is long, or is intended 
to be expanded, a second wire of smaller dimensions is used ; this 
wire, being filed to a point, is also bent in the form of a staple, 
with a broad or narrow exterior according to the shape of the 
tail to be supported. The sharp points of this staple are forced 
through the portion of the rump -bone left attached to the tail, 
and inserted into the cork, while the bone rests against the first 
wire, which thus acts as a fulcrum to the tail. The bird now 
cUrv-rtra, as represented in the en- 
lg, the body wire occupying 
mtre of the body, and coming 
,t the tail and through the 
im between the eyes, while 
rires of the legs and wings 
tached by a loop to the body 
The process of stuffing the body 
now commences ; the tow or other 
material used being wound round 
the wires until something like the 
shape of the bird is attained. The 
legs and thighs claim particular 
care ; the wires which represent the 
tendons may be twisted in any 
direction, but considerable skill 
will be required to represent truly 
the form of the thighs and bend of the knees. 
The set of the tail also requires much care ; the flesh and 
bone removed are replaced by tow or cotton-wool, which is pushed 
in with the stuffing wire. 
The operation of sewing up is now performed, during which 
the stuffing is completed, all vacant places being filled in with 
soft tow or cotton by means of the stuffing wire. As the work 
proceeds, the caliper compasses will now be found useful if the 
previous measurement of the dead bird were carefully made. 
The sewing should be very neatly done, with fine cotton-thread, 
taking care that none of the feathers are caught by the thread. 
346 
