The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-12
Birds and Beasts,

| hros una beaBtB,
A reporter strollcd into the shop of &
taXldermist recently. In the window was
perched large brown eagle with an un.
lucky little bird in it's strong, sharp claws,
That eagle was shot about five weeks
ago." said the proprietor ellis extended
wings measure over six feet" Near tho
eagle gray owl stared out into the street,
as If he had forgotten his natural dislike to
daylight. He held mouse in his thin,
hooked talons. Suspended back of these
was bat, with wings extended over twelve
inches Some wild-ducks which had lust
been received for stGtling, lay with their
glossy green and black plumage carefully
smoothcd down. The skins of some ducks
and other birds lay around in various stages
OF preparation. The reporter gave O start
as he nearly stepped on a little white Spitz
dog, curicd on mat near the door but
he, like his companions, was only life-hke,
and past all ''delight to bark and bite. y
Several glass cases were ranged about the
room, and contained hundreds O! birds of
almost as many species. Some were glis-
tening in sheeny plumage of green, red and
gold, with tho shifting brlliancy of
,'changeable" silk. Others were quietly
dressed little songsters. Some gray squir-
rels sat up on show case, as pert as if in
their native woods. Here, too, were
snowy feathercd geese, and cfilgies of pct
canarlcs. Several heads oil deer with their
aatlcrs on were mounted to do duty as
hat racks, and other deer were stuffed
entire. A large sca-gull and Vicious
looking hawk swoopcd down from the
ceiling. Near the door hung number of
lovely white doves witt oulstretcl,ed wings.
n fax Tft
met the glance. as almost every Kind of
bird known in this country was represented,
and the collection ranged all the way from
beetle to bear. The reporter began
questioning. What is your largest class
OF cus!OmersP'
"a good many people send their dead
pets here to be mounted" replied the
taxidcrmist. A largo share are canary
birds, and they send, too, dogs, cats,
squirrels, rabbits, even horses once II. a
while. During the autumn and winter,
when the game laws give liberty to sports
men, get many specimens Of game to
mount. l presume they keep them AZ
trophies. They are usually wild ducks and
geese, partrldgcs and deer. Sometimes
lhcy shoot an eagle, or big owl or hawk
and these they are pretty sure to want
stulled. Owls make very handsome birds
when they are stuffed, rs they are plump,
have plenty OF compact pumage and
trlking eyes,
III presume florists use many of those
white dovcs,' said the reporter.
ION, yes, l have large order for them
now. They perch them on the floral de-
signs for funerals. There iu always mar
kct for pure white birds"
"Whcre do you get your brilliant colorcd
birds2"
"From South America mostly. They
SKIN them down there. They cost different
prices according to the color. Some of tn
hucs arc very rare"
Are miillncrs using many of them now2"
asked the reporter, VINO was not posted in
the fashions.
MOT this yoar, as they are not tho stylc,
but last year l could sell all | could find
without any trouble. Women are very
changcabIc. Fur dealers have a good MANY
animals stuffed to serve as advertisements
a handsome black bear, tiger or panther,
attracts attention."
The taxidcrmist requires careful and
expert hand, and also some knowledge of
natural history. If he has not the latter.
nc VIII DC apt to spoil his bird or animal
III skinnng II; and will afterward stuff it
out OF proportion, or mount it awkwardly.
II ls always desirable to mount the beast
or mrd IN natural attitude, and, if
possible, IN some characteristic act, to
give 1t life and expressioH. The taxider
m'st's tools arc not many, comprising pin
GERS, shears, scalpeI and measuring rule.
ihc SKINS after being removed, arc painted
with arsenical soap to preserve them. An
artlilcat body of wire, wound with cotton
oatting, Is constructed, and intcrsticcs are
stuicd with tow or excelsior wadding. Ar
tlllcial eyes arc inserted, more black beads
answering the purpose for small birds. 10
Keep the feathers of bird in position after
being shot, it ls inserted in paper conc.
head downward. After the bird is stuffed
the feathers are wound down smoothly
with thread, glue Is applied where neces-
sary, and after few days tho throad is
removed.