Ere long the insects claim it as their own,
the feathers begin to drop off, and you have the hideous spectacle of death
in ragged plumage.
Wire is of no manner of use, but, on the contrary, a great nuisance; for
where it is introduced a disagreeable stiffness and derangement of symmetry
follow.
The head and neck can be placed in any attitude, the body supported, the
wings closed, extended or elevated, the tail depressed, raised or expanded,
the thighs set horizontal or oblique, without any aid from wire. Cotton
will effect all this.
A very small proportion of the skull-bone, say from the forepart of the
eyes to the bill, is to be left in; though even this is not absolutely
necessary. Part of the wing-bones, the jaw-bones and half of the thigh-
bones remain. Everything else--flesh, fat, eyes, bones, brains and tendons
--is all to be taken away.
While dissecting it will be of use to keep in mind that, in taking off the
skin from the body by means of your fingers and a little knife, you must
try to shove it, in lieu of pulling it, lest you stretch it.
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