Manual of Taxidermy, Maynard 1883

MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY ® IN Complete ffiufoe COLLECTING AND PRESERVING BIRDS AND BY C J MAMMALS MAYNARD ILLUSTRATED BOSTON S E CASSINO AND COMPANY 1883 Copyright, BY S E CASS 1X0 & CO 1883 ELECTROTYPED BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY, Xo Pearl Street INTRODUCTION Twenty-five lectors of birds or thirty years ago amateur col- were rare immediate vicinity ; in fact, excepting in the of large cities, individuals who spent their leisure time in gathering birds for the sole purpose of study, that, when one were so seldom met with unusual as to excite the comments of bors, was so did occur, his occupation his neigh- and he became famous for miles around as highly eccentric Such a man was regarded as "cracked," and the harmless, but as just a little lower classes him with open-mouthed wonder gazed at as he pursued his avocations more educated of his fellows kind of placid contempt the days to when I while the regarded him with a am speaking now of the ornithology of America was, so speak, in obscurity; for the light of the ; brilliant meteor- Wilsonian and Audubonian period had passed, and the great public quickly forgot that the birds and their ways had ever been first in the MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY IV minds of Lawrence, To be any one Baird, and sure, Bryant writing of birds, but they did tific men like Cassin, were constantly in a quiet, scien- it way, which did not reach the general public Possibly the political troubles in which our country was involved had something ornithological depression ular mind a Strange as it to with the great which may upon the pop- fell appear, however, for period of thirty years after the completion of Audubon's great work, not a general popular work of any kind was written on birds in America appeared Samuels' lished in 1867, a New " Birds of England," pub- work which apparently toward turning the popular tide in thological study, for from that time Not only a general awakening Then did much favor of orni- we can perceive did the newspa- pers and magazines teem with articles on birds, but in the five succeeding years tant works on we find three impor- 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 1S74; May- nard's " Birds of Florida," issued in parts, but af- terwards merged into the " Birds of Eastern North America," completed published in 1872 in 1882, and Coues' "Key," Other works quickly followed, INTRODUCTION for now V the popular ornithological tide was setting strongly towards the flood, and it has ever since been rushing on and gathering recruits as until the tidal wave it popular favor for of goes, 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 we can number thousands, and still they so that high-water mark is not yet reached, science, come ; while to all appearances this tidal-wave will agitate the coming generation more strongly than it does the present Of all of bird life, who there are few Years ago, mens when the vast numbers interested in the study in the not gather speci- beginning of the study, the solitary naturalist had no one to sympa- thize with usually him made in his pursuits, birds' skins were what we would now consider a in shocking manner Within the last fifteen years, however, since ornithologists have become more numerous, and the opportunities workmanship in facilitated, great comparison of preserving specimens has been improvements are seen prepared collections are fact, of now far even rare specimens lose when poorly made up from desirable much When Slovenly ; in of their value there are enough ; MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY VI experienced collectors in one locality to compare improvements each has notes as to the various made skin-making and mounting birds, one aids in the other but there ; is always a multitude of be- who live in isolated localities and who not number experienced collectors among their friends, and who consequently require the aid of ginners Hence the need written instructions of books to teach them This intended to meet the is amateur ornithological wants of ever may it work, then, little find them, for it is collectors, wher- written by one w ho T has at least had the advantage of a very wide experience 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 he has not conferred any benefits on them, much useful this are now at least gained the results of all information, and laid before the reader , The less art of had its taxidermy origin very ancient, and doubt- is among the very early races of man, who not only removed the skins mammals Birds and for clothing, but mammals were also for of birds and ornaments also frequently regarded INTRODUCTION as objects of worship, after death, as embalmed Vll and consequently preserved among the entire birds ancient Egyptians, who and mammals that were considered sacred From the rude methods of preserving skins, doubtless, arose the idea of mounting, or placing the skins in The lifelike attitudes first objects selected for this purpose were, of course, birds and mammals of singular forms or brilliant objects of curiosity colors, as Later specimens would have been preserved for ornamental purposes, but probable that it was not it is until the seventeenth cen- tury that either birds or mammals were collected with any idea of their scientific value Specimens either mounted or have been rudely preserved at in first, other branches of art and science, began to skins must but, like all when people understand the value of well-made speci- mens when compared with those poorly done, workmen who became skilled in their art and turned out good work good skins, The however, never was this country, at appeared art of making understood in least until within the last fifteen now it is rare to find good workmen who can make skins well and or twenty years, and even rapidly MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY Vlll As is many methods have been natural, prac- ticed to insure lifelike attitudes in birds and other A objects of natural history good opportunity studying the various schools of mounting among seen is gathered from various localities throughout the world many with plaster, is may be museum, the specimens of a large where material of varieties of have seen birds I material, from filled cotton to and have even seen cases where the skin 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 fastened together in the centre of the inside of the skin, and cotton, or tic material, filled however, very had in around some similar elas- This method it difficult to learn, and, is, unless one has a large experience in handling birds, will not give satisfactory results mended text, as I have therefore recom- the hard body method, as given in the being the best, as it is more and always gives the best results easily learned in the hands of amateurs In skin-making, although I have methods, making in the form and wrapping, fer the latter, as is two given I pre- being by far the best, although not as easy to learn it INTRODUCTION Mounting mammals and and making reptiles their skins also varies as given viduals, but I IX by different indi- 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 have purposely avoided giving lengthy I structions, considering much tences better, few well-worded a sen- much more expressing as in- clearly the ideas I wish to convey In short, the reader has the condensed results of my experience, and if he will follow with care and pa- tience the instructions herein given, he will obtain satisfactory results I extended I am sure that from his labor have endeavored to inculcate the idea in the following pages that he cessful taxidermist who wishes cannot without the utmost care ; accomplish his end he must exercise pa- tience and perseverance to the extreme will arise, be a suc- to ; difficulties but he must overcome them by severe application to the study of his art, and, as years pass by, experience will teach him never knew before I by men who are now their first of that he have been assured many times, ideas much skilful workmen, that preserving specimens were MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY X divined from my " Naturalist's Guide." trust the present little work may Thus aid others I who are entering the fairy land of science, to prepare lasting mementoes gathered by the way C Boston, Mass J MAYNARD ; CHAPTER IX MOUNTING REPTILES, BATRACHIANS, AND Mounting reptiles, batrachians, and fishes as collected in this department taxidermy I FISHES scarcely a part of is shall only give general instructions Snakes may be regarding mounting some species 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 greatest diameter its ; then the skin speedily taken off both ways When may be the vent is reached the skin comes away harder, but in order to make a perfect piece of quite to the end of the work tail, it even must be skinned if it splits open the eyes must be removed from the inside of the head The removed and skull the skin skin on the top of the head cannot be in this class of animals, leaving the jaw Cover well with preservative, and turn To mount, two ways with plaster, in which the orifice are practised, one on the inside and the vent are sewed up, and the plaster poured into 97 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY 98 the mouth snake until the how- It is well, is filled ever, to place a copper wire the entire length of the animal to strengthen set, it then before the plaster ; place the snake in the proper attitude is This kind of work requires practice, as you must be careful of the attitude in the animal, as quickly ; to which you wish the plaster begins to make set it more set quite slowly, however, The mouth in a little salt to place should be filled mix up Care should be taken that with clay or plaster water does not accumulate in any portion of the and skin, it should be perforated with an awl occa- The sionally to allow the water to escape skin of may be filled with papier-mache by working small pieces downward then insert a wire and The skin requires some time place into position a snake ; to dry, in a is and both cases place the mounted reptile dry place, where liable to Section etc in decay I : — Reptiles if it will rapidly dry, as the skin kept in a damp place Mounting Lizards, Alligators, of this description should skinned like mammals, through a longitudinal sertion made in the abdomen The be in- 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 etc., wound on The attitudes of be bend or two all this class of animals are apt to into the curving slightly may be the bones must be very smooth and ungainly even stiff 99 in life tail, ; but by putting a turning the head, or the body, much too rigidness avoided Section move the Mounting Turtles II.: skin from a turtle, cut — To re- away a square portion of the under shell, using a small saw for this Then remove purpose the softer portion through this hole, and draw out the legs and head mammals as in In mounting proceed as nearly as skinned over possible as in but the top of the head cannot be ; mammals, only the legs may be with clay or plaster in small specimens should be taken not to let fill the skin too the wrinkles show, as seen in life, full filled Care ; but and imitated as nearly as possible The shell of the soft-shelled turtle, leather-back, is quite condition The — apt to is difficult become to keep the like in good distorted in drying, only method which has occurred to me is to cover the body, and exposed under portions, with layers of plaster, position until Section : will keep the shell in when it may be removed Fishes are Mounting Fishes it is III which dry, — MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY IOO quite difficult to skin, especially those with scales In flat fishes remove a portion I one of side, skinning the other; then, in mounting, lay the animal on filling its side the Mounting in this case fish to its natural life-size tow, or other available material The will also answer fins means with cotton, Plaster or clay may be pinned out flat against pasteboard, or put in place with fine wire In skinning larger no those which have fishes, or scales, or scaled fishes which have cylindrical shaped bodies, open from beneath by cutting nearly the whole length of the body some fishes more difficult to comes off easily, remove The skin from while in others it is 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 over the surface beneath, as m drying, and all it shows considerably imperfections around In preserving the skins of smoothly lies all it 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 out filling them into When they are to be mounted throw water, in which a small quantity dermal has been dissolved turn and mount IOI When as in fresh skins of they are soft INDEX A Page Alaudidae 14 Alcidae 26 Alcidinidae 15 Alligators 98 American warblers Ammunition for repeating guns 10 Ampelidae 14 15 Anatidae 24 Aramidae 23 Ardidse 23 Arsenic a dangerous poison Auks 49 43 26 Avocets 22 Ascertaining the sex of birds B Batrachians Basket 97 29 for collecting birds Bird lime Birds Box-trap Blackbirds 16 Breech-loading guns Burrowing owl, Newbury.port, Mass 27 C Cabinets 59 Caprimulgidse 103 17 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY 104 Care of skins Care of specimens Catching wounded birds 59 28 3i Catharatidae 21 Charadridae 22 Chamasidae 13 Cinclidae 13 Clap-net Clypsilidae 18 Collecting birds mammals Collecting 84 Collectors 27 Columbidce 21 Colymbidae 26 Coots 24 Cormorant 25 Corvidae 17 Coturniculus Courlans 16 23 Cranes Crested birds Crows Cuckoos 23 — mounting 76 17 J Cuculidae 19 Cuts of the skull 37 Cutting-pliers 64 D Darters Dermal preservative Dried skins, mounting Drying forms 25 45 78 51 Ducks 24 Ducks' skins • Dusting birds 57 So INDEX 105 E Eagle as decoy Eagles Ever-ready bird-trap 20 Exceptions to the usual method of skinning 39 F Falconidae 20 Falcons 20 Finches - 16 Fishes Form 97 for measurements of mammals 89 Fly-catchers Frigate birds 17 25 16 Fringilidac G Gallinules 24 24 Gannets Game pieces Geese Goatsuckers Graculidae Grebes Grosbeaks Grouse 79 24 17 75 26 16 21 Gruidae 23 26 Gulls H Hsematopodidse Hawk as decoy 22 Hawks 20 Herons 23 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY io6 Herons' skins • 24 Hirundinidas 15 Humming 18 birds I Ibis 23 Ibis' skins 56 Icteridas Instruments for mounting 16 64 J Jays 17 K Killing wounded birds 30 Kingfishers 19 Labelling specimens Label, sample Large birds, mounting Large mammals, mounting Large mammals' skins 58 58 76 92 - Laridas Lizards Loading Loons 88 26 98 shells 26 M Making over old skins 61 Making Making Making 49 skins of long-necked birds 55 mammals 86 skins of skins of small birds 50 84 INDEX 107 Mammals 84 Maynard's dermal preservative Measurements of birds recorded Measuring birds Measuring mammals 49 62 58 88 Meleagridae 21 Motocilid^ 14 Mounting birds Mounting dried skins, birds Mounting dried skins, mammals Mounting fishes Mounting fresh specimens, birds Mounting 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 64 78 94 99 64 90 98 88 95 76 97 76 99 N Naturalists' guide 44 Nuthatches 13 O Old skins, making over Other methods of preparing skins Ordinary method of skinning birds 61 47 43 Orioles 16 Ouzels Owl as decoy Owls 13 Oyster-catchers , 20 22 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY 108 P Panel work Papier-mache 70 82 Paridse 13 Parrots 21 Part I Part II 84 24 Pelecanidae Pelicans Petrels 24 26 Phaetonidse Phalaropodidae 25 22 Phalarops 22 Phcenicopteridas 24 Picidae Plain stands 19 • 81 64 22 22 Pliers Pigeons Plovers 25 Plotidas Plugging mouths of birds Podocipidas 33 26 Preservative 45 Preserving skins 44 79 Prices for mounting birds Procellaridae 26 11 Procuring birds Psittacidae Puffins Quail • 19 26 21 INDEX IO9 R Rails Rallidae 24 24 Recurvirostridae 22 Repeating collecting gun Sample label for birds 58 Saxicolidae 12 Screens 77 Sex of birds A3 Shooting birds Shot for birds 11 Sieve trap Sittidae 13 Skinning birds 33 Skinning-knife 33 87 86 Skinning large mammals Skinning small mammals Skins of birds Skins of hawks 54 Skins of herons, ibises, etc 57 56 Skins of long-necked birds 55 Skins of owls 57 Skins of small birds 52 Skins of vultures 57 88 Small mammals Snipe 23 Solopacidse 23 Sparrows Spoonbills Steel traps 16 23 Stilts 23 Stonechats 12 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY 110 Strigidae 22 Sulidas 24 Swallows 15 Swifts' 18 Sylvidae 13 14 Sylvicolidae T Tachypetidae 25 -15 Tanagridae 15 Tantalidas 23 26 Tanagers Terns • , Tetraonidae 21 Thrushes 12 Titmice 13 Trapping birds Trochilidae 18 Troglodytidae 13 Tropic birds 25 True larks True warblers 13 Turdidae 12 Turnstones Tweezers 22 Tyrannidae 14 50 17 V Vironidae 15 Vireos 15 Vultures 21 W Wagtails 14 Warblers, American 14 INDEX Warblers, true 13 % Waxwings Wings spread, mounting Wrentits 15 76 Woodpeckers Wrens Ill 18 13 13 ... educated of his fellows kind of placid contempt the days to when I while the regarded him with a am speaking now of the ornithology of America was, so speak, in obscurity; for the light of the... wiring the wing; G, end of furcula H, tip of keel I, indentations in posterior border K, tarsus; L, heel M, pelvis; N of stemma; J, femur cocyx O, crest of keel P, side of keel X, wire used in... the of strong placed on the decoy the same species as those to be captured, bird, of is pro- MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY cured at Fig 2, B trap, and placed possible, if ; pass well-known is tured of the