The following instructions are on restoring the heads of two stuffed albatrosses to their natural white colour. The heads should first be well dusted with feathers. The after treatment depends on the nature of the dirt. If blood is present it may be removed by rubbing down with flannel dipped in water containing a little salt; then rub with turpentine and afterwards with benzoline, and while still thoroughly wet dust over plenty of plaster-of-Paris to absorb the benzoline and with it whatever dirt has been left. The following is an American plan: Dissolve a piece of pipeclay the size of a walnut in rather less than lpt. of warm water; well wash the bird with soap applied by a soft flannel dipped in the liquid. When clean, wash again in clean water and roll in a cloth to dry. Then hold in front of a fire and beat briskly with a folded towel. This method should not be adopted with a valuable skin: instead, after the washing, apply benzoline, then plaster, and beat with feathers in prefei-ence to a towel.

Without this beating the bird would probably dry rough.