ill detract from the
appearance of the best work while a specimen far below the average will
pass muster with tasteful and suitable surroundings. The same principles
will apply with some exceptions in mounting about all large animals.

Some of the most ponderous have a hollow wooden frame made to reduce the
bulk of filling required; this is covered with wooden strips or lath and
this in turn with a layer of fibrous material.

Supporting rods more than 1/2 inch in diameter must have both ends
threaded and be connected with the back-board by iron squares. These
consist of a rectangular piece of iron, bent at right angles and drilled
with a number of holes in both flanges. One set of these is for screwing
to the back-board while the others are of a size to receive the upper
end of the leg rod. By changing these from one hole to another it is
possible to vary the distance somewhat between the front and hind legs
without moving the iron squares on the back-board.

[Illustration: FASTENING RODS TO BACK WITH IRON SQUARES.]

Sometimes the hair will be found missing in one or more places on a
finished animal and in such case "Old Dr. Le Page's Liquid Hair
Restorer" is the only remedy. The place to be covered is coated with
glue and a small tuft of hair from the same or another skin grasped with
a forceps, the base touched with glue and carefully placed. The hair is
arranged with a setting needle before the glue hardens, and though a
tedious operation it may be performed so well as to defy detection.

Another way where the hair or fur is of some length is to procure a
patch of the right size with hair matching that surrounding, shaving the
hide thin, coating the back with glue and pinning on the bare spot.

CHAPTER XVI.

MOUNTING HEADS OF SMALL ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH.

One of the most interesting collections which the average nature lover
can make is of the heads of small game. The expense is smaller than
where the entire subject is preserved, they occupy but little room, and
are easily kept in good order.

[Illustration: WILD CAT HEAD MOUNTED ON SHIELD.]

Heads of small fur bearers are all mounted in about the same way. In
skinning split down the back of neck from between the ears to base of
neck, cut around neck in front of shoulders and turn the scalp wrong
side out over the head, put it through the usual pickling, paring,
cleaning and poisoning. If ears are pocketed and lips split before
pickling it may pr