[Nhcoll-l] Drying study skins after flood

[Hawks, Catharine]

Hi Angela

Please see the attached recommendations, which are based on my experience in drying study skins after disasters/emergencies.

Cathy

Catharine Hawks
Conservator
Collections Program
MRC 170 Rm M85-J
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street & Constitution Ave NW
Washington DC 20560
w 202.633.0835 or 4041  c 703 200 4370
hawksc at si.edu<mailto:hawksc at si.edu>

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Angela Hornsby
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2022 12:18 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Drying study skins after flood

External Email - Exercise Caution
Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on saving bird study skins, up to swan size, ranging from slightly damp to soaked through.

How much success has there been drying with fume hood, drying oven (at what temperature?), drierite, rice, other?  For larger specimens that are soaked through, is it advisable to cut them open and replace the soaked cotton?  What bird size is small enough to dry on its own vs. necessitate a cotton swap?

All hypothetical questions, of course... thanks in advance.

Angela Hornsby
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