Wiis seis Ys Ys as tip ie SUE SN Wy SS MG SS RQy SN S . . SY WN ity oe CE, SWS a iy Le, ile SS ‘ SVEN \ LAN IK ‘ My Yy Z tity, ty ty Site Ly > LLLEE, 5 Ye 4 a Zo. AN \S No SS tite y y Nhe Si ey OA atti ws i Yee ey YL oR SS AX tig y SS \\ SS NN AA WS SS WAX WN WY AK SS SY WSS Yi, es, lis, ; ee Yy ~ SS WMG Sy és Sigg Lt EP vs CLE ty 4 iy Ve LLL hy Ye, ~\A s Wa SASS SAS Smithsonian Institution Libraries Purchased from the ALICE E. KENNINGTON RARE BOOK FUND (x \, > ~ hes ea” ‘wo ie ree th baal ‘ MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY 2 Complete Guide IN COLLECTING AND PRESERVING BIRDS AND MAMMALS BY C. J. MAYNARD ILLUSTRATED BOS OM Ss. E. CASSINO AND COMPANY — 1883 | Copyright, BY S. E. CASSINO & CO. 188}. ~ ELECTROTYPED. z BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, | No. 4 PEARL STREET. INERODUCTION: TWENTY-FIVE or thirty years ago amateur col- lectors of birds were rare; in fact, excepting in the immediate vicinity of large cities, individuals who spent their leisure time in gathering birds for the sole purpose of study, were so seldom met with that, when one did occur, his occupation was so unusual as to excite the comments of his. neigh- bors, and he became famous for miles around as highly eccentric. .Such a man was regarded as harmless, but as just a little ‘cracked,’ and the lower classes gazed at him with open-mouthed wonder as he pursued his avocations; while the more educated of his fellows regarded him with a kind of placid contempt. I am speaking now of the days when the ornithology of America was, so to speak, in obscurity; for the brilliant meteor- light of the Wilsonian and Audubonian period had passed, and the great public quickly forgot that the birds and their ways had ever been first in the ili iv MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. minds of any one. To be sure, men like Cassin, Lawrence, Baird, and Bryant were constantly writing of birds, but they did it in a quiet, scien- tific way, which did not reach the general public. Possibly the political troubles in which our country was involved had something to do with the great ornithological depression which fell upon the pop- ular mind. Strange as it may appear, however, for a period of thirty years after the completion of Audubon’s great work, not a general popular work of any kind was writtenon birds in America. Then appeared Samuels’ “ Birds of New England,” pub- lished in 1867, a work which apparently did much toward turning the popular tide in favor of orni- thological study, for from that time we can perceive a general awakening. Not only did the newspa- pers and magazines teem with articles on birds, but in the five succeeding years we find three impor- tant works on American ornithology announced as about to appear: Baird, Brewer, and Ridgeway’s “ History of American Birds,” of which three vol- umes have appeared, published in 1874; May- nard’s “ Birds of Florida,” issued in parts, but af- terwards merged into the “ Birds of Eastern North America,’ completed in 1882, and Coues’ “ Key,” published in 1872. Other works quickly followed, INTRODUCTION. Vv for now the popular ornithological tide was setting strongly towards the flood, and it has ever since been rushing on and gathering recruits as it goes, until the tidal wave of popular favor for orni- thological pursuits has reached from shore to shore across our great continent ; and where’ there were once only a few solitary devotees to this grand science, we can number thousands, and still they come; so that high-water mark is not yet reached, while to all appearances this tidal-wave will agitate the coming generation more strongly than it does the present. Of all the vast numbers interested in the study of bird life, there are few who do not gather speci- mens. Years ago, inthe beginning of the study, when the solitary naturalist had no one to sympa- thize with him in his pursuits, birds’ skins were usually made in what we would now consider a shocking manner. Within the last fifteen years, however, since ornithologists have become more numerous, and the opportunities of comparison of workmanship in preserving specimens has been facilitated, great improvements are seen. Slovenly prepared collections are now far from desirable ; in fact, even rare specimens lose much of their value when poorly made up. When there are enough = vi MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. experienced collectors in one locality to compare notes as to the various improvements each has made in skin-making and mounting birds, one aids the other; but there is always a multitude of be- ginners who live in isolated localities and who do not number experienced collectors among their friends, and who consequently require the aid of written instructions. Hence the need of books to teach them. This little work, then, is intended to meet the wants of amateur ornithological collectors, wher- ever it may find them, for it is written by one who has at least had the advantage of a very wide ex- perience in collecting skins, making and mounting. He has also had the advantage of comparing his methods with those of many excellent amateurs and professional collectors throughout the country ; and if he has not conferred any benefits on them, he has at least gained much useful information, and the results of all this are now laid before the reader. The art of taxidermy is very ancient, and doubt- less had its origin among the very early races of man, who not only removed the skins of birds and mammals for clothing, but also for ornaments. Birds and mammals were also frequently regarded INTRODUCTION, Vil as objects of worship, and consequently preserved after death, as among the ancient Egyptians, who embalmed entire birds and mammals that were considered sacred. From the rude methods of preserving skins, doubtless, arose the idea of mounting, or placing the skins in lifelike attitudes. The first objects selected for this purpose were, of course, birds and mammals of singular forms or brilliant colors, as objects of curiosity. Later specimens would have been preserved for ornamental purposes, but it is probable that it was not until the seventeenth cen- tury that either birds or mammals were collected with any idea of their scientific value. Specimens either mounted or in skins must have been rudely preserved at first, but, like all other branches of art and science, when people began to understand the value of well-made speci- mens when compared with those poorly done, workmen who became skilled in their art appeared and turned out good work. The art of making good skins, however, never was understood in this country, at least until within the last fifteen or twenty years, and even now it is rare to find good workmen who can make skins well and rapidly. Vill MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. As is natural, many methods have been prac- ticed to insure lifelike attitudes in birds and other objects of natural history. A good opportunity of studying the various schools of mounting may be seen among the specimens of a large museum, where material is gathered from various localities throughout the world. I have seen birds filled with many varieties of material, from cotton to plaster, and have even seen cases where the skin is drawn over a block of wood carved to imitate the body removed. As a rule, I prefer the soft body filling, where all the wires are fastered together in the centre of the inside of the skin, and cotton, or some similar elas- tic material, filled in around it. This method is, however, very difficult to learn, and, unless one has had a large experience in handling birds, will not give satisfactory results. I have therefore recom- - mended the hard body method, as given in the text, as being the best, as it is more easily learned and always gives the best results in the hands of amateurs. In skin-making, although I have given two methods, making in the form and wrapping, I pre- fer the latter, as being by far the best, although it is not as easy to learn. INTRODUCTION. 1X Mounting mammals and reptiles and making their skins also varies as given by different indi- viduals, but I have given the method by which I have found, by experience, amateurs succeed the best. Some may consider the information given in the following pages, too meagre for practical purposes, but I have purposely avoided giving lengthy in- structions, considering a few well-worded sen- tences much better, as expressing much more clearly the ideas I wish to convey. In short, the reader has the condensed results of my extended experience, and if he will follow with care and pa- tience the instructions herein given, Iam sure that he will obtain satisfactory results from his labor. I have endeavored to inculcate the idea in the following pages that he who wishes to be a suc- cessful taxidermist cannot accomplish his end without the utmost care; he must exercise pa- tience and perseverance to the extreme; difficulties will arise, but he must overcome them by severe application to the study of his art, and, as years pass by, experience will teach him much that he never knew before. I have been assured many times, by men who are now skilful workmen, that their first ideas of preserving specimens were x MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. divined from my “ Naturalist’s Guide.” Thus I — trust the present little work may aid others who are entering the fairy land of science, to prepare lasting mementoes gathered by the way. C. J. MAYNARD. Boston, Mass. TABLE OF CONTENTS. EXPLANATION OF PLATES ; 5 ; 3 5 INTRODUCTION : é A 5 5 - ¢ “ PART I.— BIRDS. GeArseR d-— COLLECTING . : spe aha . 5 Section I. Trapping, etc. Section II. Shooting. Section III. Procuring Birds. Section IV. Care of Specimens. CHAPTER II].— SKINNING BIRDS : : ; Section I. Ordinary Method. Section II. Excep- tions to the usual Method of Skinning. Section III. Ascertaining the Sex of Birds. Section 1V. Preserving Skins. Section V. Other Methods of Preserving Skins. CHAPTER III. — MAKING SKINS - ; 5 Section I. Cleaning Feathers. Section II. Making Skins of Long-necked Birds. Section III: Making Skins of Herons, Ibises, etc. Section IV. Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Vultures, etc. Section V. Labelling Specimens. Section VI. Care of Skins, Cabinets, etc. Section VII. Measuring Specimens. Section VIII. Making Over Old Skins. CHAPTER IV. — MouNTING BIRDS Section I. Instruments. Section II. Mounting from Fresh Specimens. Section III. Crested Birds. X1 33 49 64. Xil MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. Section IV. Mounting with Wings Spread. Sec- tion V. Mounting Birds for Screens, etc. Section VI. Mounting Dried Skins. Section VII. Prices for Mounting Birds. Section VIII. Panel Work. Game Pieces, etc. CHAPTER V. — MAKING STANDS . Section I. Plain Stands. Sections II. Ornamental Stands. Part II. — MAMMALS. CHAPTER VI.— COLLECTING MAMMALS CHAPTER VII. — MAKING SKINS OF MAMMALS Section I. Skinning Small Mammals. Section II. Skinning Large Mammals. Section III. Makirg Skins of Mammals. Section IV. Measuring Mam- mals. CHAPTER VIII.— Mountinc MAMMALS ; Section I. Small Mammals. Section II. Large Mammals. Section III. Mounting Dried Skins of Mammals. Section IV. Mounting Mammals with- out any bones. CHAPTER I1X.— MOUNTING REPTILES, BATRACHIANS, AND FISHES Section I. Mounting Lizards, Alligators, etc. Sec- tion II. Mounting Turtles. Section III. Mount- ing Fishes. 81 84 86 go 97 BS AND EXPLANATION OF PEATEs: hie. —— LAGE 2 Sieve trap: B, common coal sieve, set with one edge raised by stick A, to which is attached the string C, one end of which is held by the bird-catcher at a distance. When the bird, attracted by the bait, goes under the sieve, the stick is jerked out and the sieve falls. FIG. 2.— PAGE 3. Ever-ready bird-trap: D, body of trap made of netting F and A, hoops supporting netting. A, ring to which are attached the wires C, which point backwards. The bait is placed within the body of the trap and'scattered through the ring B. Then the bird enters at the entrance A, goes through the ring B, so on past the wires C, which are arranged in a circle to prevent his egress. The bird is removed through an orifice in the back, drawn together with a tring at F FIG. 3.— PAGE 33. Skinning-knife: The handle of this knife should be round, and the blade does not close. Fic. 4.— PAGE 37. Skull of bird (side view): Dotted line from A to B shows cut to be made in removing back of skull to give access to brain. xiii XiV MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY, Fic. 5.— PAGE 37. Skull of bird, under side: Dotted lines A, A, A, show cuts to be made in removing a triangular piece of bone and muscle, to which the whole or a portion of the brain will adhere. Fic. 6.— PAGE 42. Dissection of a song sparrow, showing male organs of re- production: 1 and 2, lungs; 3, 3, testicles. The four organs below these are the kidneys. Fic. 7. — PAGE 43. Dissection of a song sparrow, showing female organs of reproduction: 4, lungs; 1, 1, small yellow glands, present in both sexes; 2, ovaries; 3, oviduct. These last four figures are merely diagrams, only sufficiently accurate in outline to convey an idea of the position of the parts indicated. Fic. 8.— PAGE 50. Tweezers for making skins, mounting, etc.: Several sizes are used, but as a rule the points should be longer than those given in the cut. FIG. 9.— PAGE 51. Drying forms fastened to a board, D, skin in the form. I now use these forms detached. See text. Also, see page 54 for a better method of making skins which I now practise. Fic. 10.— PAGE 54. Form of a skin of an oriole: I now use the long label given on page 58. Askin should not be made too full; a dead bird laid on its back will convey an idea of the thick- ness of the body of a skin. ELISE, OF PLATES: XV Fic. 11.— PAGE 64. Straight-nosed pliers: Used for bending wires in mounting. Fic. 12.— PAGE 64. Cutting-pliers: Used for cutting wires in mounting. Fic. 13. — PAGE 66. Body of a bird: E, neck-wire, which should be as long as the neck and tongue in order to reach into the upper man- dible. This wire should be wrapped in cotton. B, wire before clinching ; G, C, wire clinched; F, tail wire bent in the form of a T at H,a leg wire going through tarsus along dotted line to D. Fic. 14.— PAGE 67. Roughly-drawn skeleton of a pinnated grouse, only suff- ciently accurate to indicate the different bones: A, skull; B, B, B, vertebre ; furcula of neck and back, or wishing-bone ; D, forearm; F, carpus, showing hollow in bone through which the wire is to be passed in wiring the wing; G, end of furcula; H, tip of keel; I, indentations in posterior border Ge stemuna; J, femur; K, tarsus; L, heel; M, pelvis; N. cocyx; O, crest of keel; P, side of keel; X, wire used in mounting skeleton ; A, B, ribs. FIG. 15.— PAGE 69. Outline figure of grouse showing external parts: A, back; B, rump; C, upper tail coverts; D, under tail coverts; E, ventral region; F, tibra; G, tarsus; H, breast; I, side; J, throat; N, chin; L, abdomen; M, feet. Fic. 16.— PAGE 73. Outline drawing of a mounted bird: A, A, dotted line to indicate the relative position of the head and body, with the Xvi MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. perch on which the bird stands; B, B, winding cotton to keep the feathers in position; C, C, indicating proper posi- tion of wings; D, tail feathers “plated.” I do not now recommend this method. E, E, tail bearing wire ; F, upright of gland ; H, horizontal bar of stand; I, feet of bird on stand; S, leg-wire wrapped around bar after emerging from foot. FIG. 17.— PAGE 92. Lower portion of bolt used in mounting large mammals: A, movable nut on screw C; B, immovable flat washer. MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. PART IL—BIRDS. GEE Rook: COLLECTING. SEcTIon I. : TRAPPING, ETc. — Several devices for securing birds for specimens may be success- fully practised, one of the simplest of which is the box-trap, so familiar to every schoolboy. If this be baited with an ear of corn and placed in woods frequented by jays, when the ground is covered with snow, and a few kernels of corn scattered about, as an attraction, these usually wary birds will not fail to enter the trap. I have captured numbers in this way, in fact, the first bird which I ever skinned and mounted, was a blue jay, caught in a box-trap. I was only a small boy then, so I do not now remember what first suggested mounting the bird, but the inherent desire to preserve the specimen must have been fully as strong then as in later years, or I never could have brought myself to the point of killing a bird in cold blood. 2 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY, In fact, putting the bird to death is the worst of trapping; and with me, unless I do it at once, during the first excitement of finding the bird entrapped, the deed is likely never to be done at all. Sparrows, snow-buntings, and in fact nearly all birds of this class may be caught in box-traps in winter. For these small birds, scatter chaff over the snow so thickly as to conceal it, then use -. WiG.-3. a spindle upon which canary-seed has been glued, for bait, scattering some of the seed outside. Other traps, however, may be used more success- fully for fringilline birds. For example, the clap- net trap, where two wings, covered with a net, close over the birds, which are attracted by seeds strewn in chaff, scattered in the snow. This trap, which is similar to those used by wild-pigeon catchers, is sprung by means of a long cord, the end of which is in the hands of a person who is DSI COLLECTING. 3 concealed in a neighboring thicket or artificial bower. A very simple trap, but excellent for catching sparrows, may be made by tilting a com- mon coal sieve on one edge, keeping it up by means of a stick which has a cord attached to the middle (see Fig. 1). The birds will readily go under the sieve, in search of food, when the trap- per, who is concealed at a short distance, jerks out FEN PLAS [(XAA N ant IN ea Ne " INN | ‘ . N TAK YY KW nee wi IN q° Nia | hh ANAS sEUWAVAN Pe iY. A YLT au the stick by means of the cord; the sieve falls and the birds are captured. This trap requires con- stant watching, which, in cold days, is not very pleasant ; thus a much better trap may be found in one of my own inventions, which is called the “Ever-ready Bird Trap.” It is made of strong netting stretched over wire, and is placed on the ground or on a board in a tree. under side of the body from the vent forward, peel down on either side until the knee-bones are exposed, then cut the joint and draw out the leg, at least as far as the heel. Remove the flesh, cover well with preservative, and turn, then pro- ceed thus with the opposite leg. Pull down to the tail and draw out the bone by placing a stick on the under side of it and pressing backward. If the tail bone does not readily come out, as in musk: rats, wrap the tail in cloth and pound it witha wooden mallet, and it will then come out without further trouble. Peel down on either side until the front legs appear, cut off at elbow joints, and draw these out; remove the flesh, cover with pre- servative, and turn. Skin over the head, taking care to cut off the ear next the skull, so as not to 86 MAKING SKINS OF MAMMALS. 87 cut through into the exterior surface; pull down the edges, cut between the lids and eye-sockets down to the lips, cut between these and the bone, but near the latter, thus removing the skin entirely from the skull; cover the skin well with preserva- tive, after removing all fat and surplus bits of flesh. Then turn the skin, detach the skull from the body, by carefully cutting between the atlas, the last vertebra joint, and the skull. The skull should be boiled to remove all the flesh and brain ; or, if this cannot readily be done, and if the mam- mal be very small, roll it in preservative, and lay it one side; if the animal be large, cut off all the flesh possible, and work out the brain through the open- ing in the base of theskull. It is always, however, best to remove the flesh by boiling; after which care should be taken to tie the lower jaw firmly to the upper. Section II.: Sxinninc LARGE MAMMALS. — Large mammals should be skinned by making a cross incision down the entire length of the breast, between the fore-legs to the vent, then down the under side of each leg quite to the feet. Remove the skin but leave in two bones and the joints in each leg. Inremoving the horns of a deer or other ruminant, make cross cuts between the horns, 88 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY, and then back down on the neck for a short dis- tance. The lips of a large mammal should be split open carefully, and the ears turned out quite to the tip; this can be done with a little practices s@ower with preservative, well rubbed in, and dry as quickly as possible without tearing. Section III.: Maxine Skins or MAmMALs, — Remove all blood and dirt, by either washing or by continuous brushing with a stiff brush. Dry off with preservative: rub it well into the hair. Draw out the bones of the leg, wrap them well with cotton to the original size of the leg; then fill out the head to the size and form of life, sew- ing up the neck, and fill up to the body to the size of nature with cotton or tow. Sew up the orifice, then lay the skin, belly down, with the feet laid neatly; and if the tail is long, lay it over the back. Mice and other small mammals should not have the bone of the tail removed, as the skin cannot be filled and turned over the back easily. Large mammals may be also made up if they are to be used for cabinets or for skins. SecTION IV.: MEAsuRING Mammats.—It is quite as easy to measure mammals as birds. The dimensions to be taken may be seen by the accom- panying filled blank, which is the form I always use. 89 MAKING SKINS OF MAMMALS Arctomys monax. Tail to Nose to Locality.| Age. |Sex.| Date. |No. End of Vertebra. End of Hair. Height of Ear. Root of Tail. ' QOutstretched Hind Leg. —_ |, | — | ———_- | | | SE J S| |S |S | | | | | | Light colored. Ipswich |Adult | g | Aug. 22/ 58 | 1.50 | 2.95 | 2.30 | 18.00 | 15.00 | 4.98 | 6.00 | 8.10 | 2.10 ; .78 | .85 st 2 “¢ 20 | 55 | 1.57 | 2.80 | 3.45 | 15.50 | 20.15 | 4.50 | 6.75 | 2.80 | 1.85 | .92 | .75 iy g 13 43 | 1.82 | 2.94) 8.45 | 15.25 | 19.50 | 5.45 | 7.60 | 2.95 | 2.05 | .70 | .65|.15) 9.75 | —| —| Top of head black. * This measurement is taken after the animal is skinned; the width of skull is measured on the widest part, the length on ‘the lon- gest part. CHAPTER VUE MOUNTING MAMMALS. SeEcTIon I.: Smart Mammats. — Skin as directed, but the skull should not, as a rule, be detached unless the animal be large enough to. have the lips split. The eye cavities should also be filled with clay. Cut a piece of wire of the suitable size to support the head; have it about twice as long as the head and body of the speci- men in hand. Wind up a turn or two with the pliers small enough to enter the cavity in the base of the skull, which will have to be enlarged to admit of the ready removal of the brains. Place the wound portion of the wire in this cavity, and fill in around it with either plaster of paris, or tamp in excelsior, tow, or cotton firmly enough to hold the skull perfectly firm on the wire. Wind up a body of excelsior or grass, as nearly the form and size of the one removed as possible, taking care that the neck be of proper shape, and that the surface be very smooth. 90 MOUNTING MAMMALS. OI This surface may be covered with a thin layer of clay or of papier-maché, if a very nice smooth surface is required, in case of short-haired mam- mals. Cut four wires for the legs and one for the tail. Run the wire up the front legs, and tie them firmly to the bone with fine wire, especially at the joints. Now wind each leg with cotton, hemp, or tow to the size and form of the muscles removed. In order to get the legs very exact, one may be wound before the muscles of the other be removed, and measurements may thus be taken. The legs may be also covered with papier-maché or a thin layer of clay in short-haired mammals. Now place the body in position, taking care that the wire of the head goes the entire length of the body, and is firmly clinched. The wires of the front legs should enter the body at the proper point on the shoulder. The wires of the hind legs should also enter the body at the point near the back, where they join the natural body. Run awire the entire length of the tail and fasten in the lower end of the body. See that all wires are firmly clinched, and sew up the orifice. Bend the legs into as natural a posi- tion as possible, and insert the wires protruding from the soles of the feet into the holes in the Q2 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY, stand or perch; bend the body in position, insert the eyes, arranging the lids carefully over them, taking care the eye has the proper form in the corners. ; Arrange the eyelids and ears by occasionally moulding them into form as they dry. Smooth the tail carefully and attend to all the little de- tails, such as spreading the toes etc., etc., and B A C Fic. 17. carefully watch them from day to day, until the animal becomes perfectly dry. Section II.: Larce Mammars.—In drawing the lines between mammals mounted as described above and the present method, it may be well to remark that the one now given is the best in all cases, but requires rather too muchtime to be used with very small specimens. Have five large wires ~ or bolts of a suitable size to support the mammal mounted, cut to the proper length, and cut a screw on either end for about two inches (Fig. 17, @). MOUNTING MAMMALS, 93 Screw a broad flat nut on (Fig. 17, 0), then have another nut ready to screw on above the first. Prepare a strip of board a little shorter than the natural body of the mammal, and in this bore four holes, two at each end, with one extra between the two, but a little back of them on the front end. After bending the bolts so as to form the legs, place the ends in the holes and screw on the nuts, place the lower ends of the irons in the holes in the stand and screw on the nuts, thus the beginning of the structure will stand firm. Fasten the end of the fifth iron firmly in the brain cavity by filling in with plaster, or wedging in pieces of wood, and screw the lower end in place. Now wind excelsior on the legs to the proper size and form; cover it with a thin layer of cotton. Then place on the body in sections of excelsior of exactly the form and size of life, and cover with clay. The neck is now to be formed in the same way; of course to get all the parts accurate, one must have the natural body, which has been re- moved, at hand, or should have the correct measurement of it. The skin, from which the leg” bones have been removed quite to the toe-nails, may be fitted on occasionally to judge the effect. Procure sheet lead, and, if too thick, beat it out; 94 | MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. cut it in the form of the cartilage removed from the ear. Fasten wire into these pieces of lead with the ends protruding downward; bore holes in the skull into which the ends are introduced, thus form- ing the support, and keeping the ears in proper position. Supply the muscles of the skull with excelsior and clay or papier-maché, then adjust the skin firmly and sew up. Fill the lips and nose with papier-maché or clay, and mould into shape. The above instructions, if followed, will give a mounted specimen, but I cannot convey the ideas which must teach the student the exact poise, the swell of the muscle, the exact shape of the eye which will give life and beauty to the subject in hand; all these must come from patience, study, and long practice, for skilful taxidermists do not spring at once into existence, but require expe- rience and careful education. SecTion III.: Mounting Drizp SKINS OF Mammats. — Skins of mammals must be soaked in a strong solution of alum water, and when perfectly soft see that the parts above the lips, eyes, etc., are peeled down quite thin, and that every portion of the skin is perfectly pliable, then it should be moistened as described. Section IV.: Mountinc MamMats WITHOUT MOUNTING MAMMALS, 95 ANY Bones. —If the skull of a mammal be desired for a skeleton, a cast may be taken of the entire head before the flesh is removed, by placing the head in a box which will contain it and leave a space around it; pour in plaster of paris to the consistency of cream, until the head is about half covered—which should be placed on the bottom of the box, lower jaw down —let the plaster set ; now cover the top surface of the plaster with paint, or oil, or paste paper over it. Then fill up the box with fresh plaster: after this has set well remove the side of the box and open the mould where the joint was made with the paint or paper. Take out the head, and then cut a hole in the mould at the base of the skull, in which the plaster for the head may be poured. Paint or oil the inside of the mould everywhere, fit the pieces together, then tie firmly and*‘pour in the plaster for the mould; then insert the bolt for the head in the hole, and let the plaster set around it. Remove the mould by chipping off pieces with a chisel until the paint surface is exposed. If the head be large and heavy, a large ball of excelsior, in which the bolt is firmly fastened, may be placed in the centre, but this must be covered with a thin layer of clay to make it impervious to plaster. The lips and other naked 96 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. spaces must be painted the color of life, with paint mixed with varnish, first filling out’ the imperfec- tions with paraffine wax. Casts may be taken of the larger in wax, making a mould in plaster. CHAP BR ex: MOUNTING REPTILES, BATRACHIANS, AND FISHES. MountTInG reptiles, batrachians, and fishes as collected in this department is scarcely a part of taxidermy. I shall only give general instructions regarding mounting some species. Snakes may be readily skinned by cutting a longitudinal insertion about a fourth of the distance down from the head on the lower side where the body begins to enlarge, near its greatest diameter ; then the skin may be speedily taken off both ways. When the vent is reached the skin comes away harder, but in order to make a perfect piece of work it must be skinned quite to the end of the tail, even if it splits open; the eyes must be removed from the inside of the head. The skin on the top of the head cannot be removed in this class of animals, leaving the jaw and skull. Cover well with preservative, and turn the skin. To mount, two ways are practised, one with plaster, in which the orifice on the inside and the vent are sewed up, and the plaster poured into 97 98 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. the mouth until the snake is filled. It is well, how- ever, to place a copper wire the entire length of the animal to strengthen it; then before the plaster is set, place the snake in the proper attitude. This kind of work requires practice, as you must be careful of the attitude in which you wish to place the animal, as the plaster begins to set quite quickly ; to make it set more slowly, however, mix in a little salt. The mouth should be filled up with clay or plaster. Care should be taken that water does not accumulate in any portion of the skin, and it should be perforated with an awl occa- sionally to allow the water to escape. The skin of a snake may be filled with papier-maché by working small pieces downward; then insert a wire and place into position. The skin requires some time to dry, and in both cases place the mounted reptile in a dry place, where it will rapidly dry, as the skin is liable to decay if kept in a damp place. SEcTION I.: Mountine Lizarps, ALLIGATORS, ETC. — Reptiles of this description should be skinned like mammals, through a longitudinal in- sertion made in the abdomen. The skin from the top of the head cannot be removed however. In mounting, proceed exactly as in mammals, but as there is no hair to hide defects, all cotton, excelsior, MOUNTING REPTILES, ETC. 99 etc., wound on the bones must be very smooth. The attitudes of all this class of animals are apt to be stiff and ungainly even in life; but by putting a bend or two into the tail, turning the head, or slightly curving the body, too much rigidness may be avoided. SecTIon IJ.: Mountinc TurtLes.—To re- move the skin from a turtle, cut away a square portion of the under shell, using a small saw for this purpose. Then remove the softer portion through this hole, and draw out the legs and head as in mammals; but the top of the head cannot be skinned over. In mounting proceed as nearly as possible as in mammals, only the legs may be filled with clay or plaster in small specimens. Care should be taken not to fill the skin too full; but let the wrinkles show, as seen in life, and imitated as nearly as possible. The shell of the soft-shelled turtle, like the leather-back, is quite difficult to keep in good condition— is apt to become distorted in drying. -The only method which has occurred to me is to cover the body, and exposed under portions, with layers of plaster, which will keep the shell in position until it is dry, when it may be removed. SECTION III.: Mountine Fisues. — Fishes are I00 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. quite difficult to skin, especially those with scales. In flat fishes I remove a portion of one side, skinning the other; then, in mounting, lay the animal on its side. Mounting in this case means filling the fish to its natural life-size with cotton, tow, or other available material. Plaster or clay will also answer. The fins may be pinned out flat against pasteboard, or put in place with fine wire. In skinning larger fishes, or those which have no scales, or scaled fishes which have cylindrical shaped bodies, open from beneath by cutting nearly - the whole length of the body. The skin from some fishes comes off easily, while in others it is more difficult toremove. In mounting large fishes use a hard core to the body, made of either wire or wood. The fins should be wired from the inside; care should be taken that the skin lies smoothly over the surface beneath, as it shows considerably in drying, and all imperfections around it. In preserving the skins of all reptiles and fishes the dermal will be found excellent, especially in removing the oil from the skins, etc. Cover well with the preservative, and nothing more will be necessary. Skins of this class of animals may be kept for future mounting by simply coating with the preservative, and kept turned wrong side out with- MOUNTING REPTILES, ETC. IOI out filling. When they are to be mounted throw them into water, in which a small quantity of dermal has been dissolved. When they are soft turn and mount as in fresh skins. PN DES Alaudide ; : ‘ : 4 : é : cod: Alcide . : ° : ° : ° : : E20 Alcidinidz : : : : : : : ; yts Alligators : . ° : ° ° ° ° 5 Ge) American warblers : : : : ; é ek Ammunition for repeating guns. ° ° : Ae Ampelidze : . : Selmi : : - ous Anatide . 3 : : : : : ; : Bes Aramide . : : eet - 5 “ é i 23 Ardide . : : : A : ‘ . ; 5 Be Arsenic a dangerous poison . : : : - Ag Ascertaining the sex of birds . - 5 : ° AS Auks - : : : : ° . A : 220 Avocets . : : : ° . . ° ° 22 Batrachians . “ 4 - 5 : : 107, Basket for collecting Bas : : ° : : 20) Bird lime . ; : ‘ ‘ : - : : pnd) Birds A : : 2 ° ° : - : NS | Box-trap : - - - . : ° : aves ‘Blackbirds Sree ee De ec tee eee Sta LO Breech-loading guns : - : : Bae Burrowing owl, Newburyport, Mass, . Be het 27, es Gabmets 4... : pate: SOW feiss AS ary teh mPa a) Caprimulgide . : 5 ; : 5 . De oly 103 104 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. Care of skins Care of specimens Catching wounded birds . Catharatide Charadridz Chamzide Cinclide . Clap-net . Clypsilide Collecting birds Collecting mammals Collectors Columbidz Colymbidz Coots Cormorant Corvide Coturniculus Courlans . Cranes : ; Crested birds — mounting Crows Cuckoos . Cuculide Cuts of the skull Cutting-pliers . Darters : Dermal preservative Dried skins, mounting . Drying forms Ducks Ducks’ skins . Dusting birds INDEX. Eagle as decoy Eagles . Ever-ready bird- Help Exceptions to the usual method of Minnie ‘ Be Falconide Falcons Finches Fishes Form for Eeisurements of pannel Fly-catchers . Frigate birds . Fringilidex Gallinules Gannets Game pieces . Geese Goatsuckers . Graculidze Grebes . Grosbeaks Grouse . Gruide . Gulls Hezmatopodide Hawk as decoy Hawks . Herons . 105 20 23 106 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. Herons’ skins Hirundinide . Humming birds Ibis Ibis’ skins Icteride Instruments for sents Jays Killing wounded birds Kingfishers Labelling specimens Label, sample Large birds, mounting . Large mammals, mounting Large mammals’ skins . Laride . Lizards Loading shells Loons Making over old skins. , : Making skins . : Making skins of ene Hide Making skins of mammals Making skins of small birds Making stands . INDEX, Mammals shee oe : Maynard’s dermal pee airy © Measurements of birds recorded . Measuring birds Measuring mammals Meleagride Motocilidz Mounting birds ° 2 ° . : 5 Mounting dried skins, birds Mounting dried skins, mammals Mounting fishes Mounting fresh specimens, birds lene fresh specimens, mammals Mounting lizards, alligators, etc. Mounting mammals : : Mounting mammals without any bones ‘ ; : Mounting with wings spread . Mounting reptiles, batrachians, and fishes Mounting screens Mounting turtles Naturalists’ guide . ai Pee dc ee Nuthatches O. Old skins, making over . : Other methods of preparing skins Ordinary method of skinning birds ; Orioles. : ; : : : ° ° Ouzels . : : : . . PENAS CECOV eps ae a Ae SB Ler Thal iyi Owls : ; - : . : : : : Oyster-catchers : : . : : : ° 108 Panel work Papier-maché . Paride Parrots Partci- Part. Pelecanide Pelicans . Petrels Phaetonide Phalaropodide Phalarops MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. Pheenicopteridz Picide Plain stands Pliers Pigeons Plovers Plotidz Plugging mouths of birds Podocipidz Preservative Preserving skins Prices for mounting birds Procellaridz Procuring birds Psittacidze Puffins Quail aI Rails Rallidz Recurvirostride2 Repeating collecting gun Sample label for birds Saxicolidz Screens Sex of birds Shooting birds Shot for birds . Sieve trap Sittidze Skinning birds Skinning-knife Skinning large mammals Skinning small mammals Skins of birds . Skins of hawks Skins of herons, ibises, etc. Skins of long-necked birds Skins of owls ; Skins of small birds Skins of vultures Small mammals Snipe Solopacidz Sparrows . Spoonbills Steel traps Stilts Stonechats INDEX. 109 IIo Strigidz Sulidz Swallows . Swifts~ Sylvidz Sylvicolide Tachypetide Tanagers Tanagridez Tantalide Terns Tetraonide Thrushes Titmice Trapping birds Trochilidz Troglodytidz Tropic birds True larks True warblers . Turdide . Turnstones Tweezers Tyrannide Vironide . Vireos Vultures . Wagtails . Warblers, American MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. W. 2) ae 14 Warblers, true Waxwings Wings spread, mounting Woodpeckers . Wrens Wrentits . INDEX. Lit 13 15 76 13 =| MAYNARD & CO, Noei-9g Pemberton Square; Boston, MASs. DEALERS IN PeALURALISIS SUPPLIES Birds’ Eggs, Nests, Skins, &c., &c. We make a Specialty of NATURALISTS’ and TAXIDERMISTS’ SUPPLIES, such as Instru- ments for Egg-Blowing, Skinning, Mounting, ete, Also, ARTIFICIAL BYES. LEAVES, GRASSES, MOSSES, and in faet all Supplies needed by the Collector and Taxidermist. Send for Catalogue, addressing as above. ; ORTERS OF ———SSs Sn — WB») CL TOOLS. ANVILS, EGG DRILLS, SPRING FORCEPS, WIRE CUTTERS, EGG BLOWERS, INSECT FORCEPS, PLYERS, EMBRYO HOOKS, CURVED NEEDLES, BITTS, BRAIN SPOONS, SCALPELS, MALLETS, POCKET CASES, STUFFERS. SUPPLIES. ARSENICAL SOAP, ARTIFICIAL LEAVES, TOW, SHADES, ICICLES, THREAD, MOSS, STANDS, GLASSES, GLUE, FLOWERS, WIRE, CLAY; COPS, GRASSES, SMALT, CORK, LABELS, CLUNELLE, FROSTING, PINS, TAGS. MICA, BOOKS, GLASS EYES. We carry the most complete assortment that can be obteined. For HUMMERS TO EAGLES, MICE TO ELEPHANTS, MONKEYS TO MEN, SEND FOR DETAIL CATALOGUE. INDIAN ARROW HEADS. The Best, Most Perfect, Smallest and Nicest Colored Arrow Points in the world. FOR SALE IN LOTS TO SUIT. A Fine, Perfect Point, sent registered, on receipt of $1.00. E. M. GILHAM, 241 Battery Street, San Francisco, Cal. NEW BOOKS FOR NATURALISTS. IN PRESS. Handbook of Entomology. By Prof. C. V. Ritry. This work will be an introduction to the study of Entomology, and as such will find a place occupied by no American book. It will be thoroughly illustrated. 1vol.8vo. Cloth, $3.00. Manual of the Mosses of the United States. With copper-plates illustrating the Genera. By LrEO LESQUEREUX and THOMAS P. JAMES, It is particularly desired that botanists wishing copies should notify the publishers at an early day, that the edition may be decided on. The price has not yet been fixed, but probably will be $3.50. Botanical Micro-Chemistry. An introduction to the study of Vegetable Histology. By Prof. V. A. PoULSEN. Translated by WILLIAM TRELEASE. 1vol.12mo. Cloth, $1.00. 5S. E. CASSINO & CO., PUBLISHERS, BOSTON, MASS. NEW WORK 25) ie SEA MOS Si ae es ee Wé shali issue in a few days an elegantly lustrated ‘‘ MANUAL OF AMERICAN SEA Mossz-«,”’ prepared by Rev. A. B. Hervey. It is just such a work as has lony been needed and much called for: a handy, convenient book for sea-side use. Nothing of the kind has been pub‘ished in this country; Harvey’s great work, com- pleted 25 years ago, in three ponderous quartos, being too expensive and too cum- bersome for general and popular use. It is a complete Collector’s Guide, giving practical information as to the best times, places and methods of collecting the necessary apparatus, and the details of float- ing out, pressing, drying, preserving, and mounting these beautiful plants. Full directions are also given of the best methods of studying and identifying these syants. Full “keys” are given, at the head of each group, by which the most inexperienced may be easily guided to the genus to which the plant he is studying belongs, While in the description of species the method of treatment is popular, and especially adapted to the need of amateur botanists and sea-side collectors, all the state- ments are made with scientific accuracy and carefulness. Al the common species belonging to the three great groups of Green, Olive Colored and Red Algz, are taken up in order, and so described in detail, that it is believed they may be easily identified whenever found. The book is thus made a complete guide tu all the common and beautiful forms of our Atlantic flora, north of the Carolinas, including nearly all the characteristic forms of the Pacific coast, for California, Oregon and the North. The plates, twenty in number, are drawn and colored from nature, and represent twenty-four of the most interesting, beautiful and characteristic species, in not less than nineteen genera. The work is issued in elegant binding, r2 mo., over 300 pages, and is printed on fine, heavy paper, with 20 ful!-paged colored plates. Price, postpaid, $2.00. 3@-For sale by all booksellers. or sent, posthaid, on recetpl of price, by the publisher. S. E. CASSINO & CO., Publishers, 41 Arch Street, Boston, Mass. IMPORTANT BOOKS FOR THE NATURALIST. Handbook of Invertebrate Zoology. For LABORATORIES and SEASIDE WORK. By Prof. W. K. BRooks, Ph. D., Director Chesapeake Zoological Laboratory of the Johns Hopkius University. Price, $3.00 This work is published in one large 8vo volume of 400 pages. Illustrated with 200 entirely new cuts, from drawings by the author, or made under his direct supervision. Handbook of Entomology. By Prof. CHARLES V. RILEY, U. 8. Entomologist, Chief of Entomological Commission, State Entomologist of Mo., ete., etc. In press. Cloth. S8vo. Price, $3.00 International Scientists’ Directory. Containing the Names, Special Departments of Science, ete., ete., of Amateur and Professional Naturalists, Chemists, Physicists, Astrono- mers, etc., etc., in America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceanica. Ready Jan., 1883. 12mo. Price, paper, $2.00; cloth, $2.50 Sea Mosses. By Rev. A.B. HERVEY. New edition. 20 Colored Plates. 12mo. Price, $2.00 Check List of Coleoptera. Check List of Coleoptera of America, North of Mexico. By G. R. CRotTcH, M.A. 8vo. New edition, with supplement. Price, $1.25. Minot’s Birds of New England. Land Birds and Game Birds of New England, with descriptions of Birds, their Nests and Eggs, their Habits and Mates. By H. D. Minor, Illus- trated by outline cuts. 456 pages. 8vo. Cloth. Price, $3.00 Ferns of North America. Text by Prof. DANIEL C. EATON, of Yale College. Illustrations by Messrs. J. H. Emerton ard Charles E. Faxon. Complete in two volumes. Large 4to. Cloth, gilt top. Price $30.00 Life on the Sea-Shore; OR, ANIMALS OF OUR COASTS AND BAYS. With illustrations and descrip- tions by James H. Emerton. 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50 Primative Industry 3; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HANDIWORK IN STONE, BONE AND CLAY, OF THE NATIVE RACES OF THE NORTHERN ATLANTIC SEA-BOARD. By CHARLES C. ABBOTT, M. D. 560 pages. 8vo. 429 cuts. Price, $3.00 How to Mount Birds and Animals; OR, THE TAXIDERMIST’S GUIDE. By C. J. MAYNARD. 12mo. Cloth. Lilustrated. Price, $1.50 This is au entirely new work, just issued, and should be in the hands of all who are interested in our birds and animals. With its aid the tyro can soon prepare skins in as good shape as the most experienced taxidermist. Any book mentioned sent by mail on receipt of price. Books imported from all European centres at lowest rates. Ss. E. CASSINO & CO., PUBLISHERS, 41 Arch Street, Boston, Mass. HAN. DBOGE OF NVERTEDRATE 2OOLOGY, FOR LABORATORIES AND SEASIDE STUDY. BMS. WW 33 SS Ee Ore tee Associate Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, andé Director of the Marine Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University: formerly Assistant in the Boston Society of Natural History. The book contains directions tor studying the general anatomy, the micro-_ scopic structure, and the development of selected types of animal life; and it also describes the method of collecting and preserving the forms which are de- scribed. The following are some of the subjects treated: The structure of Vorticelle, The reproduction of Vorticelle, The structure of a Sponge, The structure and growth of a Campanularian Hydroid, The structure and development of a Hydro-Medusa, The general anatomy cf a Starfisn, The microscopic anatomy of a Starfish. The general anatomy of a Sea Urchin, The embryology and metamorphosis of the Sea Urchin and Starfish, The general anatomy of the Earthworm, The microscopic structure of the Earthworm, The anatomy of the Leech, The anatomy of a Crab. The metamorphosis of a Crab, The structure and development of Cyclops, Pae anatomy of a Grasshopper, The general anatomy of Unio, The microscopic anatomy of Unio, The embryology and metamorphosis of Unio, The anatomy and embryology of the Squid. Illustrated by nearly two hundred cuts from the author’s draw- ings, or from drawings made from nature under his direction. S. E. CASSINO & CO., Publishers, 41 Arch Street, Boston, Mass. NATURALISTS’ INSTRUMENTS. aD We keep constantly on hand an assortment of Instruments used by Natural- ists, such as Ts 4 oe SCALPELS, BIRD-STUFFING FORCEPS, SCISSORS (curved and straight’, EGG BLOWERS, EGG DRILLS, INSECT PINS, INSECT PIN FORCEPS, &c. SCALPELS, Ebony Handle . : : : : : - : : - 3 .75 BIRD-STUFFING FORCEPS, { 3 : é on le2D el 2-O07 2.2). .2-0 According to length. SCISSORS, Straight . 5 3 : 3 ; é B 5 : a ost 00 Scissors, Curved : : : - ; - Z 5 - IPs desis leat) EGG DRILLS . : ‘ 5 : : : - é : ; 25 to 1.50 SYRINGES . : E : : 5 ‘ : : : é - 4.00 to 25.00 EGG BLOWERS, Nickeled . ; j j : - A : “ A - 00 NATURALISTS’ CASES. PROF. MARKS’ CASE INSTRUMENTS - : : t ; ; $6.00 PROF. WILDER’S CASE INSTRUMENTS . é : 5 : ‘ : 10.00 S. H. CASSINO & CO. Publishers of Scientific Works. SUPPLIES FURNISHED. 41 Arch Seah Boston. “ Ocha a! - & Sarde, ~ a VSS PRE