Taxidermy without a Teacher E-Book

Walter Porter Manton

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 36

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Well, here we are at last. Please turn the key in that door-to keep all inquisitive priers out-for the process into which I am about to initiate you is something of a secret, shrouded by the thin veil of mystery. You have come to me today to learn something of the art of Taxidermy, so we will take up, for your first lesson, bird skinning and mounting. But first let us see what tools we shall need to accomplish our end: a pair of good sharp scissors-surgical scissors, with long handles and short, stout blades are the best; a knife or scalpel; a pair of spring forceps; a common knitting-needle; a rabbit's foot, which should be cut off at the knee, the nails cut out, and thoroughly cleansed and dried,-used for smoothing and dusting the feathers of birds after mounting; a fishing-hook, with stout cord attached, for suspending the bodies of birds that would otherwise be too large to handle conveniently.

Leseprobe

Taxidermy without a Teacher

Taxidermy without a Teacher PREFACE.CHAPTER I.BIRD SKINNING AND MOUNTING.CHAPTER II.PERCHES.CHAPTER III.SKINNING AND MOUNTING MAMMALS.CHAPTER IV.SKINNING AND MOUNTING FISHES AND REPTILES.CHAPTER V.EGGS AND NESTS.CHAPTER VI.SKELETONS.CHAPTER VII.HUNTING AND HYGIENE.Copyright

Taxidermy without a Teacher

Walter Porter Manton

PREFACE.

The success of this little book during the past six years necessitates a second edition. As a manual it is not intended to compete with the larger handbooks on the subject; but the attempt has been made to furnish the beginner with reliable instruction for the least money possible. The present edition has been thoroughly revised, and many additions made.As was said in the first edition: "I have employed the method given for a number of years, and with great success, and guarantee success to the learner who fully carries out the directions embodied herein. I ask the reader to take himself, in imagination, to my work-shop, and to proceed as if I were at his elbow, guiding his hand, and explaining to him the mysteries of this beautiful art. It is only continuous, untiring labor that accomplishes anything of real merit in this life; and the most successful ornithologists will be found to be the hardest workers."Therefore I would caution the beginner against all impatience and disappointment at unsuccessful attempts, and urge him to press forward, continually striving to improve upon past failures, and soon, to his own astonishment, those things which at first appeared difficult and awkward, will become comparatively simple and easy. Said an old teacher to me: 'I can tell you how all these things aredone, but I cannot enable you to do them; practice alone will accomplish that.'"A person with a light and delicate touch will be most successful in this art; therefore I recommend it to the special attention of ladies. It is a continual source of pleasure, and promotive to the love of the great Nature which moves so mysteriously around us. It is true that we have seen those of coarse and vulgar minds and clumsy fingers, eminently successful; but what is more revolting to a delicate appreciation, than to see these bright creatures, so marvellously constructed by our all-wise Father, tortured into life-like attitudes by one who acts merely as an automaton, and has no sympathy with his work otherwise than to gain a livelihood? It is only the refined and the lover of nature who can thoroughly enjoy this art of reproduction. A close observer of nature, in two short hours spent in the fields and woods, will see and learn more than the unobserving and careless person in as many years."A careful observation of the habits and attitudes of the little songsters when free, will be of great assistance in mounting. A knowledge of drawing will also be found of service."

CHAPTER I.BIRD SKINNING AND MOUNTING.

Well, here we are at last. Please turn the key in that door—to keep all inquisitive priers out—for the process into which I am about to initiate you is something of a secret, shrouded by the thin veil of mystery.You have come to me today to learn something of the art of Taxidermy, so we will take up, for your first lesson, bird skinning and mounting. But first let us see whatTOOLSwe shall need to accomplish our end: a pair of good sharp scissors—surgical scissors, with long handles and short, stout blades are the best; a knife or scalpel; a pair of spring forceps; a common knitting-needle; a rabbit's foot, which should be cut off at the knee, the nails cut out, and thoroughly cleansed and dried,—used for smoothing and dusting the feathers of birds after mounting; a fishing-hook, with stout cord attached, for suspending the bodies of birds that would otherwise be too large to handle conveniently.On the whole, I would advise you to get at the start a common dissecting-case, which will contain all of the above, and besides being convenient, may save you much delay and vexation.