ot mounted at once make into a dry skin after poisoning or small
turtles may be put in alcohol.

CHAPTER VII.

MAKING SCIENTIFIC SKINS.

Probably most bird skins which are not mounted at once are kept in the
form of "scientific skins." In other words they are skinned, poisoned
and without wiring, given the shape of the dead bird. Their plumage,
size, etc., may be examined, they are easily packed or shipped and, if
properly made, may be mounted at any time but at the expenditure of
considerably more work than a freshly taken skin requires.

The instructions on skinning leaves us with the skin wrong side out with
the exception of possibly the head. The leg and wing bone, cleaned of
flesh, should be well poisoned as well as the skin and after wrapping
with pieces of cotton bat to their approximate size, returned to their
places. It is well when doing this to under rather than over fill.

Connect the bones of the wings with a bit of thread or cord. After
filling out around the eyes and upper throat, wind a small stick or
piece of wire with cotton to a size a little smaller than the natural
neck and push it into the opening at the back of skull.

The body can be filled out now with raw cotton, tow, or any similar
substance not of animal origin. Fine excelsior is about right for large
birds. The edges of the opening cut may be drawn together by a few
coarse stitches. After the feet have been tied together it is time to
adjust all the feathers become well rumpled in handling.

Our fingers, forceps and a setting needle made of a large needle or part
of a hat pin in a wooden handle will accomplish this. Stained or dirty
plumage should be cleaned before the skin is filled out, by first
sponging with tepid water, then with gasoline or benzine and drying with
plaster of paris or corn meal. Never apply this without the gasoline
first or you will have trouble indeed.

Now the skin is ready for its label, which should supply the following
information:

1. Length in inches from tip of tail to end of tail.

2. Distance between the tips of outstretched wings.

3. Length of wing from the first joint.

4. Color of eyes, feet, bill, etc.

5. Date, locality, collector.

6. The sex.

The first three items are often combined, in the case of a bluebird for
instance, 7-12-4, the order being understood.

Unless the plumage plainly indicates the sex this should be assured by
examination of the skinned body. By making an