The taxidermist's manual, or, The art of collecting, preparing and preserving objects of natural history. : For the use of travellers, conservators of museums, and private collectors. ... / By Captain Thomas Brown, F.L.S.

  • Brown, Thomas, 1785-1862.
Date:
MDCCCXXXIII. [1833]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The taxidermist's manual, or, The art of collecting, preparing and preserving objects of natural history. : For the use of travellers, conservators of museums, and private collectors. ... / By Captain Thomas Brown, F.L.S. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    68/174 (page 42)
    The box must now be placed out of the reach of the sun, air, or fire, so that the skin may dry slowly. The corrosive sublimate is of much service in this respect, for it renders the skin moist and flexible for many days. The bird should be lifted every day, so that any faults may be corrected which take place while drying1. The small wing-coverts are apt to rise, owing to the skin coming in contact with the wing-bones. The part which rises should be gently pulled with the finger and thumb for a day or two, and the feathers pressed down. The feathers should be frequently adjusted so as to ren- der them distinct and visible. The legs begin to stiffen in three or four days, when it will be time to place them in the desired position; and the toes either arranged, or curved, so as to hold a branch, in which two spikes must be placed for the reception of the feet, whereon they are to be stuck, and can afterwards be removed at plea- sure. All the threads which kept the different parts in their laces may now be removed. Mr Waterton touches the whole feathers with the solution of corrosive sublimate, so as to preserve them from the attack of moths. He says, “ The surest way of proceeding is to im- merse the bird in the solution of corrosive sublimate, and then dry it before you begin to dissect it.” We must now describe the mode of setting up a bird with extended wings. After having proceeded with the stuffing as formerly directed, and the central supporting wires have been put in their places, pointed wires are to be thrust from the inside through the wings, reaching as far as the metacarpus and the carpus, (see plate I., fig. h & s),that is, to the arms and fore arms; the ends which remain in the body are formed into ovals, of the same size as those of the central wires, and firmly attached to them either with threads, or small wires. The wings may now be raised to any height wished, and disposed agreeably to the taste of the operator; and should he feel a difficulty in pleasing himself, a good engraving may be copied. If it is intended to represent the bird flying, its wings are extended to their utmost stretch, the tail placed horizontally, and expanded, the neck forced forward, the legs and feet drawn up close to the breast, with the toes closed. It may then