Bird lore - Project Puffin

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392 Bird- Lore
inside. The Towhee which is shown in the pictures is in the ^^^s-inch stuff,
which is just about right for that bird. The frame is 8 by 3^ inside, but the
wings should have been spread more. The Jays are in i^-inch stuff, about
right, though perhaps a trifle narrower might be used. This frame is 10 by
ii>^ inches inside. I painted the inside of the frames white, which should
help in lighting the specimens.
We have here a specimen which can be handled, turned over and held to
the light in any way and carefully examined, and yet cannot be touched by
the student. The wire and strips of celluloid seem to hold it firmly in place,
though of course actual use will very likely show where it may be improved.
I have shown a picture of Woodhouse's and Pinon Jays in one frame, two
somewhat similar-appearing birds which we have here in Colorado. These
can be examined and their differences noted easily. Where the sexes of a
species are dissimilar the two can be mounted together. We have in winter in
Colorado six fairly common species of Juncos. It would not be impracticable
to put them all in one mount for comparison.
The best method of labeling is a question. I have used some white gummed
labels, but have my doubts as to their adhering permanently to the celluloid.
I also, on the dorsal side of the Towhee mount, printed the name on the
celluloid, using Higgin's black waterproof drawing-ink. This will be satis-
factory if it does not wear off with handling. The mounts should be labeled
on both sides. I suppose there should be some method of cementing the joints
of these mounts so as to render them insect-proof.
I have not considered the matter of painting or protecting the outside of
the frame, but think a moderately dark stain of some sort would be best as not
showing the effects of handling. It might be wise to use something which would
give a hard smooth surface which could be easily wiped and cleaned where the
mounts were subjected to much promiscuous handling.
Birds mounted thus are no doubt somewhat bulky, but they are very light
and in most cases not a great many would be needed for one talk or lecture.
I may add that here seems a good opportunity to work over and make use
of skins now lying idle in collections and of no particular good to their owners.
Let the owners of these try their hands at this scheme and turn the results
over to the schools or Audubon Societies. I would suggest to anyone who
wishes to experiment, and who intends to prepare a considerable number of
birds, that he get all the birds ready for the mounts, and from them figure out
the sizes of the frames, keeping them as few as practicable. The lengths of
frames for a group of birds may be the same even though their widths differ
thus, I put two Juncos in one frame, also another Junco and a White-crowned
Sparrow each in single frames. These three frames were all the same length,
6^ inches inside. Edward R. Warren, Colorado Springs.
[There is much discussion nowadays as to the advisability of using bird-skins or
mounted birds in the school-room, when live birds may be seen with a little extra effort
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