HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
21 
is that everywhere in the gullies, and over the broken surface 
of the mound, mixed with the earth of which it is composed, 
are quantities of broken vessels of clay, flint chips, arrowheads, 
charcoal, bones of animals, etc., apparently the refuse of a 
numerous people ; of course it is possible that these remains, so 
unlike the homogeneous structure of an ordinary mound, may be 
the simple refuse of numerous feasts that may have taken place 
on the mound at various times during its construction. The first 
interpretation, however, is as well borne out as any other from 
our present knowledge of this mound ; the structure and object 
of which cannot be fully understood until a thorough examination 
is made and while such an examination is desirable, it is to be 
hoped that this important and imposing monument will never 
meet the fate which Col. Foster, under a false impression* due 
to a confusion of names and places, mourns as having already 
occurred. 
HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
(Continued from page 9.) 
The method of collecting, preserving and mounting birds. The 
first specimen procured, however imperfect, should always be pre¬ 
served until a better one can be obtained. As soon as a bird has 
been killed, the following directions should be carefully observed. 
Fill the mouth, throat, nostrils and vent with cotton ; also any 
shot holes which may be discovered. If there is any fresh blood 
upon the feathers, sprinkle the spots with dust, sand, powdered 
chalk or any other similar substances. These precautions being 
observed, all stains caused by blood or internal secretions will be 
prevented. 
A paper tunnel should now be made in the same manner as 
those used by grocers, the bird placed in it with the head towards 
the point, and the upper part folded over and fixed in this position 
by means of a pin, taking care not to injure the tail feathers by 
* The destruction of “Big Mound” fln the opposite side of the river, within the 
city limits of St. Louis, probably led Col. Foster into error. 
