A very pretty perch can be made by arranging wires in the shape of a twig or branch, having one end firmly fastened in a block of wood. Wind the wires to the proper size with tow, and after giving the whole a coating of thin glue, sprinkle over it smalts and dry moss, rubbed fine in the hands; when this is dry, you can glue on artificial leaves, flowers, and grasses as your taste prompts. Another good perch for small birds is a stump made of pasteboard, with a small opening on one side. Cover this with the same materials as above. It should be about an inch and a half in height. Another perch is made by reducing pasteboard to a pulp, and moulding it around a twig or wire form. Boil the pasteboard to a pulp in a little water. Then force through a coarse sieve, and mix with thin glue. Mould this around the form, give it a coat of brown paint, and decorate to taste. To give it a rougher appearance, a coarse comb may be drawn over it before painting.

A very effective way of mounting hummingbirds is to form a tree with small palm leaves, or others, attached to a moss-covered stalk, having moss and grasses at its base. Let the hummers have the wings and tails spread, and crests and breast-tufts raised in the most effective manner. They are then attached to single wires starting from the limbs of the tree, with back or breast showing according to the part which is to be displayed.

Another good way, especially where the collection is large, is a single wire bent oval, and both ends fastened to a block standard. To the outside and inside are fixed short perches of wire upon which the birds are mounted.

Birds mounted for ornamental purposes should be placed under glass, to protect them from dust and insects. A very neat homemade case is constructed of window-glass, cut of the proper dimensions; the sides, top and bottom being fastened together by strips of stout paper glued over their edges. Or the glass may be set in a light framework of wood, which may be painted, stained, or ebonized. To ebonize, you require extract of logwood, a supply of rusty nails, or scraps of iron, and some vinegar. Place the iron in the vinegar a week or more before using the latter. When you are ready to begin, give the wood several coatings with a strong solution of the logwood, and when this is nearly dry, brush over with the vinegar. A fine dull black color will be produced.

All ducks, wading and ground birds should be mounted on a piece of board; and long-legged birds should have one foot a little in advance of the other, as if in the act of stepping. The attitudes of birds, seen in your rambles, may be put to use in your mounted specimens, and your own taste will suggest a variety of perches and ways for mounting.