can be made up from scraps of fur and will be appreciated in
cold climates on long rides and indoors as well sometimes. To make this
a covering of the size and shape of a foot stool is made of carpet or
similar material. The bottom and sides are of this and the top of some
short fur. A slit is made in this top and a bag of long fur or wool is
sewed into the slit so when the muff or stool is loosely filled with tow
and excelsior the feet may be thrust down into the fur lined pocket. The
head of a fox or wildcat in half relief put on top, over the feet will
give a finish to it.

[Illustration: FOOT MUFF, TRIMMED WITH HEAD AND TAILS.]

A novelty in fur rugs is to mount the skin of some small animal in the
center of a larger one of contrasting color. The so-called Plates of
black goat are often so used with a fox, coon, or lynx in the center.

To do this mount the fox as for a half head rug, when dry and shaped cut
out a paper pattern the exact size of it. Apply this pattern to the back
of the goat plate, mark around it and cut out, leaving the opening a
little smaller than pattern. Be sure pattern was right side up. Sew the
skin in from the back, wad and line it. A felt trimming is unnecessary
on this rug.

[Illustration: MONKEY CARD RECEIVER.]

Match safes, candle holders, and similar things are made from the heads
of fish and ducks with metal containers fastened in their open mouths.
Monkeys, bear cubs and alligators mounted erect with card trays are
quite striking while foxes or raccoons peering over the edge of umbrella
jars or waste baskets are equally so. Many animals are mounted in
Germany for advertising purposes, being either sold outright or rented
by the month. Some of these are really a form of slot machine with coin
actuated mechanisms while others are motor driven, attracting attention
as moving displays always do. Bears and foxes on swings and seesaws and
various small animals on merry-go-rounds are always attractive.

CHAPTER XXVI.

GROUPS AND GROUPING.

This subject is more of interest to the museum preparator than the home
taxidermist, but a short consideration of it is not out of place here.

Many instructive and pleasing little groups of our smaller mammals and
birds can be prepared for display in the home. Such groups usually
require casing for protection but are well worth the trouble and
expense.

Always try to make a group mean something. Let the subjects be feeding,
fighting or