ly certain that a good workman, though he may make shift with indifferent implements

dozens of unnecessary things before he can "do a stroke." This being so, I propose to point out to my readers in a few words, and by means of drawings, how very few tools are required to skin and set up a bird or sm

n. along the cutting edge, and half an inch across; the handle, which should be of box, lignum vitae, or any hard wood susceptible, of a high polish, is 3.5 in. in length, exclusive of a half-inch brass ferrule; the shape shown is the most comfortable and handiest to work with. Fig. 12 shows a broader and stronger knife, five-eighths of an inch across, having a somewhat d

drawn are always in stock; secondly, they are manufactured of the finest and toughest steel; and thirdly, their expense is trifling. The handles, however, are usually of softwood, unpolished, and had better be replaced a

her than those described - all of which have hard wood handles. Dissecting knives and scalpels, to be procured at any Surgical instrument maker's, are

, 13 - SKIN

in. long (see Fig. 14), for use in small and delicate work connected with birds; the other about 4 in. long, of a differ

CISSORS, No

CISSORS, No

with fish, I prefer a pair of small spring shears, 6 in, to 7

Bell-hang

r down (those with flat, not raised, cutters, are to be preferred)*; the figure gives a good idea, but the grip should not be quite so broad as they are usually made; from 8 in. to 10 in. is the most useful siz

seful for cutting fine wires or pins, in situations where the use

- Cuttin

anship and materials. Buck, of London, and Stubbs,

nship, used chiefly by watchmakers, and made in Paris. These are excellent for

French Cut

nd differ from most pliers in having an obtusely rounded point (see Fig. 19, A and B). These, which I call "feather pliers," are in conjunction with a

tow, etc.., into the necks and hollow places of birds' skins. It may be easily made in this wise: Procure as small and fine a pair of goffering-irons as you possibly can, and have them drawn out

- Feathe

ed, some tow, wool, wire, eyes, and a needle and thread, a pot of preservative paste, and a piece of wood or a wire for a stuffing iron, are all that the amateur or the profession

- Tow

handle of about four inches, or, if for large birds or mammals, the iron may be made from a broken fencing foil, to any size between twelve and thirty inches, with suit

- Stuf

thoroughly efficient tools than going to the expense of ordering a box of "bird-stuffing implements