The fur trapper will frequently take some animal the skin of which may
for many reasons be of little value. The puma or mountain lion is such a
one, worth but $2.00 or $3.00 usually, the mounted head is a striking
wall ornament and the skin is suitable for couch or floor.

Though fur dealers will make some deduction from the regular prices on
skins from which the heads are removed, it is vastly more profitable to
retain them and preserve as trophies.

Horns and antlers and head skins or scalps of all our large game have a
certain value either separately or together. Mounted heads, damaged by
moth create a demand for extra scalps and separate antlers are often
called for. Extra large heads or antlers of freakish formation seem to
possess a special fascination for the public.

[Illustration: SPRING LAMB? COON HEAD.]

Commercial fishermen handling fish in large numbers would do well to
preserve at least a few of the more notable specimens of their catch.

In some localities there is every summer an opportunity to supply
"rusticators" with rattlesnake skins which may be prepared for wall
decorations or use as belts, hat bands, card-cases, and neck ties. They
should be packed in salt until tanned as drying out while in the raw
state is apt to spoil them. On account of the snake's habit of shedding
its skin at varying intervals, dressing snake skins is rather of the
nature of a lottery. The dressed skins should be made up with a backing
of some other leather as it is apt to possess but little strength of
itself.

In localities where the tarpon, tuna, muscallonge, and other large fish
are caught it is well to keep some good specimens on hand as such are
often in demand to substantiate a fish story.

In a word, gather and preserve some of the best objects of animated
nature your locality affords, whether fur, fin or feather.

CHAPTER XXX.

COLLECTING AND MOUNTING FOR SALE.

Commercial taxidermy is roughly divided in two branches, custom work,
and collecting and mounting for sale. For the first you need some fixed
place of business easy of access to the public and convenient to lines
of transportation. The latter may be taken up anywhere if a demand has
been noted and a market assured or in prospect.

Travelers in little known parts of the country often pay their expenses
or even gain considerable profit by collecting desirable specimens of
animal life. As a side line on pleasure trips it is sometimes
rem