OK you pros chime in...
whats the best way to preserve a bird for taxi?

Tuck head under wing. Wrap in about 10 layers of Saran Wrap. Put in a Ziplock freezer bag as well if you are going to freeze indefinitely.

thanx.. ment this to go in upland category...
what about old panty hose.. heard of that...

I did that once when I was a kid. The idea behind it is to keep the feathers all laying flat. There is absolutely no reason to do it. I got scolded bt the guy doing the work.

If you have never seen the process of bird taxidermy, it would blow your mind how the skins are handled and what it looks like when wet.

The idea behind tucking the head is so the head wont break off if it is dropped after the bird is frozen. Doesn't really matter, just ty to not break any feathers when bagging, wrapping or whatever you decide to do.

Your main enemy is moisture loss to the skin via freezer burn. I can thaw a bird that has been put up in the freezer for a year and it will be as fresh as the day it was frozen with the Saran wrap and freezer bag. Every taxidermist has there own favorite method. It's FAR from an exact science. Call the place you are thinking about having it done and ask what they prefer.

I've never done a quail, but this is my preferred method for ducks, geese and cranes