458 
MAKING UP SKINS. 
same time pushing downward on the fore-arm bones. Now turn skin right side out 
by catching bill with forceps or between thumb and finger and gently work the skin 
and featbers back with the other hand. Cutting away the corners of the jaw as 
shown in illustration (Fig. Ill, G-) often greatly faclitates in turning the head right 
side out. When skinning large birds, especially those with long legs, cut slits in 
soles of feet, pull out the tendons, and push arsenic and alum in the cavities with 
stuffing forceps, a blunt stick or a stiff wire. 
Cleaning the Plumage. 
When feathers are soiled with blood or other foreign substances,* take a sponge 
and basin of warm water, to which may be added a little ammonia or castile soap, 
lift up the stained parts and carefully rub and press them until all the discoloration 
has disappeared, then sprinkle on a handful of cornmeal,f rub with a loose bunch 
of cotton or soft brush, whip gentl}^ with a small switch or piece of wire, and continue 
to add cornmeal, likewise rubbing and whipping, until the feathers are dry, when 
all the meal should be dusted out. Spots of grease can be removed by using warm 
water, turpentine, or benzine and plaster of Paris. 
Methods of Making Bird Skins. 
Although taxidermists and collectors are numerous, comparatively few of their 
number make No. 1 skins. I know several taxidermists who can mount birds in 
most life-like and graceful attitudes, yet they appear to be unable to put up even an 
ordinarily fair skin. To make first-class skins it is necessary to have considerable 
practice, so don’t be discouraged if your first efforts are unsuccessful, but bear in 
mind that in this, as in every other vocation, work and perseverance will enable you 
to conquer in the end. 
a SKIN' PROPERLY MA L>E— (Reduced). 
When stuffing a skin, avoid filling it too full, better make it smaller than distend 
it beyond the natural dimensions. Endeavor to make it the same size as it was before 
the skin was taken off. Don’t make the neck too long, and on the other hand, do 
not shorten it so that the head and neck are jammed down on the breast and shoul¬ 
ders. Never spread the wings ; always make a skin with the wings close to the back 
and sides as shown in illustration (Fig. IV). 
Having turned the right side out, pick it up by the bill, hold it over the box con¬ 
taining arsenic and alum, and give it a gentle shaking, to loosen up the plumage, 
and allow the poison which will not adhere to the skin, to drop where it will not 
* Blood, particles of mud. etc., when dry may often be removed by gently rubbing the feathers be¬ 
tween the thumb and lingers. When washing or otherwise cleaning feathers, take care to stroke or rub 
them the right way, so as not to crumple and destroy their huffy and natural appearance when clean and dry 
t Use plaster of Paris to clean birds with white plumage ; and it may also be used for cleaning feathers 
of other birds. When using plaster of Paris, one of the principal things is to not allow it to harden on 
the feathers. Spirits of turpentine and benzine are used in cleaning bloody feathers ; don't attempt, 
however, when employing these agents, to mix them with water, but first wash the feathers in warm 
water, then dry the parts with a sponge or cloth, after which apply the turpentine or benzine, and then 
the plaster. 
