STUFFING AND MOUNTING BIRDS. 
The stuffing and sewing np finished, and the feathers brushed 
and placed in their proper order, a perch is provided for the 
bird if it is a perching bird. Two holes are bored in the perch 
at proper distances, through which the wires of the feet are 
pushed and riveted on the other side. 
The wings are the next consideration. Having fixed upon 
the position they are to occupy, cut two pieces of wire of suf- 
ficient length to carry out the design ; if they are to lie close 
to the body, a small wire passed through the first pinion joint 
through the stuffing, and into the cork, will keep them in their 
position. When they are expanded as in flying, the tail must 
be expanded also ; in this case the wire should be long enough to 
support both joints of the wing, through which it is passed into 
the cork in the body. I am not sure that one wire long enough 
for both wings would not be an improvement on this arrange- 
ment. Each end of the wire being pointed, it could be pushed 
through the joints and the wire twisted into the required form, 
support being given to the wings by cardboard, cork, or by 
double wire, as with the tail, where they were too heavy for one 
wire. And now, it is only necessary to fix the eyes, which is 
done in various modes : some eyes, being provided with a shank, 
are stuck into the matter used for stuffing the head, using a 
little gum round the edges ; others fix them in with a little 
putty ; the orbits are dressed and painted, the feathers neatly 
arranged in their places ; and some naturalists wash the whole 
surface with rectified spirits of turpentine, both as a preserva- 
tive and to give gloss and brilliancy to the plumage. 
The operator’s taste may now be displayed in giving the 
finishing touch to the setting of the bird. If the work has 
been well executed, and the wires firmly inserted and riveted, 
the neck, head, wing, feet, or tail, may be twisted in any 
direction without fear of dislocation, and a good memory will 
enable him to give it a natural and life-like appearance. 
The attitude must of course rest with the operator ; but a few 
words on the subject may direct his attention to certain ana- 
tomical results which should accompany particular attitudes. 
A bird seizing its prey, for instance, stretches out its leg with 
extended claw and with head and neck bent forward, wings 
raised in an arched form, and tail spread out vertically, and the 
body also bending forward. In flying, the wings are spread out 
to their whole extent, the tail in a line with the body and ex- 
panded, the claws closed, and the legs drawn close to the body. 
In a bird surprised, the side on which the alarm has originated 
347 
