New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-26
SKILFCL IMITA TORS OF NATURE.
THE FIRST TAXIDERMISTs' EXHIBITION.

THE FIRST TAXIDERMISTS EXHIBITION
A SUCCESSFUL MEETING AT RoCBEs1kR-lHE DIS
PLAY VISITED BY MULTITUDE OF NIkkhsthD
PERsONs-fINE AND CURIOUS sPkci"RNs-ANi-
MAILS MORE FULLY sIUFrED IN DEATH THAN
IN LIFE.
lrRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBUNE'I
ROCHESTER,, Dec. 17.-Ihere Is now being
held III inns cIy exhibition OF no common mert ana
interest under the pices of society winch, though
not yet one year Old. gives promise OF Brilliant Iuiue'
In March last the taxdeImisls OF Ills CITY ana 'iei'
decided to found National Society OF 1a1dermsts'
which should be devoted 10 the development ana ihi
provement their art The plan proposed was 10 hod
annual meetings and competitive e1hlbons' anu 'ne
pubc of Western NewYOrK now witnessing the nrst
effort OF tins kind society composed OF probes
slopal and amateur taxIdermsts fIom all paris OF the
Middle Sta cs, who have worked WIFI Will 10 make
t.,r first exhibition a success ana the result has b. en-
a surprise both TO The pubic aud themselves since II
is probable that effort the society Will be
made Newly Ork Guy, year hence ON Tar grahder
scale this exhibition claims more than passing pouce
Although the art Of laxderny had It's birth IN the old
world this society is The fist of the KIND organized
and This exhibition possesses the charm OF being an ell
tirely novel enterprise
Through the generosity OF two pubc-spinted business
men OF tbs city, James Wick and John Fanny me hai
llux3O feet in placed at the Disposal OF the 30
cIety and 10 now occupied by the exhibition AS the
vis or enters the door he confronted by splendid
lion winch seems have turned its head suddenly to
the left opened It's mouth 10 seize hm his speci-
men is the work Of wellknOwn New YORK taxderInst
On the left o. the entrance STANDS ger almost Oh tho
arg, Al size feet inches in length, perhaps the arg-
est and finest in America, which killed IN India by
the secretary Of the society AT the upper end OF the
nall occupying a prominent position, is large ana
striking group Labelled "a Fight in the IreetOps" 1t
IL composed OF two immense male ourang-ouangs en-
gagged in fierce struggle. The largest has seZed the
hand of the other drawn TO his mouth aud is Just IN
the act Of bng Off the middle finger at the second Joint
from which the blood Is flowing The owner OF the nn-
ger IA swinging upon hus antagonist with mouth
WIDE open and expression OF mingled pain and
rage upon his face. Tie surroundings have been worked
III with great TO produce section OF boiiean
forest with anu dark green lollage orchids
and creepers lhis striking group Is the work OF The
same ARTIST who mounted the now famous group Of
DURAN -outangs the American Museum In New-fork
Near tue group of ourangoutangs IN strong contrast
with their fierce black Drawny limbs and general
ugliness stands large group called Ibe Flslnngo al
Home" In the shallow water at the edge OF lagoon
female famingo has built her nest OF mud aud grass
and in half standing posture is covering hcr eggs On
the lett the group stately male bird is standing
proudly erect while the right third male bird Ia
attaining down intenty watching small turtle which
can ust be distinguished at the bottom Of The water
On the surface Of the water there float most llfeke
leaves and flowers OF the pond hly and other aquatic
plants grow at the waters edge This beautiful group
ia the work the president OF the society Near BY
upon two easels, par Of medalons OF exquisite
beauty done by the ssifu hand. Against back
ground of black velvet. upon gilt log. stands snowy
heron with one foot raised, his pumes showing like
threads Of spun glass against the background
I'VE frame purple vevet and gilt completes elegant
work Of art.
Another artistic group OF birds is entitled An Inter
ruped Dinner" hawk has just killed partridge AID
is preparing for feast when peregrne falcon swoops
10 OF his prize The artist has represented
the moment OF attack. The hawk has turned upon Its
back 10 receive the assalan partly covering Its prey
with one Of It's oustretched wings. its bloody beak and
aons reaching upward The artist has represented the
falcon as lowering in md-ar directly above the hawk.
with claws extended eudeavoring TO strike the former
at All unguarded point. The group mas been prepared
with the sRl and care when characterlZc he artist
who loves his art.
On one side OF the hail. occupying small space twenty
feet square fine display OF decorative pieces, com
prisug and elk heads panel pieces OF dead
feather re-scrcens, owls OF every description and mis-
celaneous pieces great variety This exhibit Is the
centre OF attraction to the throng OF ladies who visit the
exhibition Further along is display OF artistic groups
of birds from the bald eagle to the hummiDg-bild.
Usually each case contains flock Of birds Of one species
only or most wo arranged with natural scenery aud
background effects TO represent the hauns and habe CT
the birds. The catalogue enumerates nineIy-seven
groups Of BIRDS and work Of this class the display Is
very and attractive Along The opposite side OF the
hall is ranged a of deer heads, cabinet groups OF
birds and single bird specimens Down the centre on
an elevated platform the single mammal specimens
among which ~e hnd noble American bison noun.
tain sheep OF great beauty standing proudly On rock,
antelope. lIoness, black bear iur seal and her
Young, aud various smaller animals.
Another prom feature OF the exhibition Is the die
play of grotor que groups which furnish an endless
amount of amusement to old and young. There are
frogs squirrels and kittens playing cards and domnOs,
duelng, drinking smoking, fishing ana making love- IN
an OF which the attitudes. facial expression aud accessO
ries are worked ont with eonsummate skill. One frog
group labelled Ibe IaXldermlst represents the presi
dent OF society sitting AT his table mounting hum
ming bud AnotneT called sitting Tor Portrait is
exceedingly drol The most attractive OF gu the gro
tcsque groups called The story OF Cock Robin, Com
plete" and is precisely what the name indicates.
beautiful sleigh-robe made OF a leopard skin with
the head mounted IN fine STYLE II seen at end OF the
hail. aud beside 1t stands an ottoman made OF an ee
BESIDES the above. the display includes groups OF
fishes aud crabs line lot OF old sknf ta1ldernIsts
accessories 10 tariderIny. carefully arranged cata
iogue 239 entries all branches OF axidermy
being well represented Each fully labelled,
that the visitor hss fun Information concerning it.
The opening reception Of the exhibition was held on
last Tuesday night since that date the exhibition
he public and as its character and merits
popular disappointed visitor has not yet been seen.
and the attendance steadily increases 1t was the nen
ton Of the society close the exhibition the end
four days. bat the general request OF the press and
public. II has been decided 10 continue IL three days
longer Inc SUCCESS Oi now assured
It's permaDence IA national organization established.
mad the good fortune TO secure Judges OF the oXn
bion three prominent patrons OF tdXidermy Professor
A. Allen, OF the Museum OF Comparative Zoology, Cam
bridge. Macs DR.. Joseph b. Holder OF the American
Museum OF Natural History, EewYOrk City and Pro
fessOr r. D. Scott, OF the Princeton College Museum
Their sealed report now In the hands OF the secretary
and Will not be made known until the close Of the
exhibition.
At the meeting Of the society," held on the 10th
inst Professor W. f. D. Scott OF Princeton, elected
president for the next year Mr.. " & Webster was
elected vioepresidentl Mr.. William I. Hornaday WAS
reelected secretary and Mr. A. Lacas treasurer al.
ready various members designing largo groups
and special exhibits for next exhibition The soci
city yet undecided whether 10 hold next exhibit
ZION In Boston or NewYe bus ~ present the prefer
ence Ia In taV9S VI the latter.