El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-16

years until it is completed. When 1t
is stated that it may take as long as
six months to mount a single large
mammal. it is plain that to prepare
whole group of exhibits will take
years.
The process by which mounting is
accomplished is an interesting one.
First the naturalist-sculptor makes
little model Of the animal he proposes
to mount It is usually on a scale of
about one to Is. After he gets his mo-
del TO suit him, in pose and detail, he
submits II to others for criticism and
suggestion After the model has been
worked up to the satisfaction of the
responsible authorities, the task of
making a life sized form is begun, wood
and paper being used principally. When
this is completed, the placing Of the
skin on the model is but small un-
dertaking.
Infinite Patience For the job.
To construct a great group, like the
famous bison group in the National
Museum, with all the accompanying
natural settings, is task that requires
infinite patience and much ability. This
bison group is regarded as one of the
finest mounted groups in the world. 1t
was done by W. T. Hornaday, now head
OF the Bronx zoo. He killed the big
when he shot the splendid creature he
felt as though he had perpetrated a
cruel murder
Not all of the mammals will be
mounted for exhibition purposes, as
they require too much space After
the principal specimens are mounted,
it IS probable that the others will be
used as exchanges with various mu-
seums of the country. Of course a
Aofn mill ha
kept at the Smithsonian and the Nation
al Museum. DR.. Gerrit Miller, curator
of the division of mammals, National
Museum, who has charge of the animal
collections. says that when big animal
is mounted and placed in an exhibition
case. science bids goodby to Ii. The
action of the light will change the co.
lor of its hair, and other transforma-
lions will take place which end its
usefulness to science.
The Bird Collection.
Not less interesting than the animal
collections are those of the birds. About
1900 have been received and some 400
more are expected shortly They range
from the tiny little sunbird. that Is
sometimes confused with the humming
bird. up to the goliath heron, the sad
dle-b billed stork and the giant eagle
owl. All of these birds are carefully
SKINNED, the SklnS pOiSOneu 81 "a "
render them immune TO vermin and
parasite attack, and then stuffed with
cotton. At the Smithsonian they are
kept in trays in big dark cases.
One of the most interesting specimens
is the honey-guide. This little bird
has a taste for larvae and other life
that abounds in a wild beehive. 1t has
learned that man is fond of honey, and
will work all day trying to pursuade
the hunter to follow it. How it has
acquired the idea of the relation be-
tween man and honey is a most re-
markabIe thing, but that it has done
so is agreed by all who know itas hab-
its. It will guide hunter to bee
tree as unerringly as a pointer dog will
/ locate a covey of partridges. The sec
rotary bird is another interesting mem
Der of Africa's feathered tribe. 1t has
a crest of feathers, which, when the
bird is at attention, resemble an old
fashioned quill pen placed behind the
ear of clerk. Hence its name. 1t is
snake eater and an adept in the art
of snake catching 1t kills the snakes
it eats by carrying them high into the
air and dropping them on nard ground.
Birds That Nest Together.
Weaver birds build their nests to-
gether, there being as many as 100 fam