Select a nice large egg, and with a sharp knife cut off the small end, as evenly as possible, [Fig. 547]. After emptying the shell rinse it carefully, and while it is drying make the chicken’s head ([Fig. 548]); cut from a light quality of cardboard two rings like [Fig. 549], place them together, and with the worsted wrap the rings over and over, as shown in [Fig. 549], until the hole in the centre is nearly filled up; then, holding it firmly between the forefinger and thumb, insert the point of a pair of sharp scissors in the outer edge, slipping it between the two rings; cut the worsted all the way around, and, still holding it firmly, slide a piece of strong thread between the rings, and, drawing it around once, tie tightly. Take the rings from the ball thus made, and clip and trim it perfectly round. Sew the two round black beads on the head for eyes; make the beak of writing paper after Figs. 550 and 551. [Fig. 550] is the upper, [Fig. 551] the lower part of beak. Pinch into shape as shown by dotted lines; and with a little mucilage stick the upper end of [Fig. 551] to the underside of [Fig. 550], as in [Fig. 552]. Paint the beak a light yellow, and gum to the head. [Fig. 548] shows the head complete.
| Fig. 550.—The upper part of the beak. | Fig. 551.—The lower part of the beak. | Fig. 552.—The beak. |
| Fig. 553.—Use hat-wire for the legs. | Fig. 554.—The foot. | Fig. 555.—Good-morning. |
Holes must now be made in the shell for the legs to come through, as shown in [Fig. 547]. This is done by boring carefully with a large, sharp-pointed needle (being cautious not to crack the shell in the process), until the holes are large enough to admit the wire. Use a piece of ordinary black hat-wire, four inches long, for the legs, bend in the shape of [Fig. 553] and slip through the holes in the shell. Cut a piece of wire two inches long, and another one inch in length, for the foot; bend in the shape of [Fig. 554] and fasten to the leg by wrapping tightly with black linen thread.
| Fig. 556.—Run a line of perforations around the shell. | Fig. 557.—Fasten the shells together. |
Fig. 558.—Nestle the chicken coseyly in the shell.
Fit the head in the hole left in the small end of the shell, and if the work has been well done the chicken will look very natural indeed. The small piece of shell taken from the end will give it a still more cunning appearance if fastened on the chicken’s head ([Fig. 555]). This little trifle makes a very pretty bonbonnière, as the shell is quite strong enough to hold candy, and the head may be removed to allow of its being filled or emptied.
To make the