SKELETONS OF BIRDS. 419 



separated at the joints where they meet the scapulas, (d d,) the cora- 

 coids, (e e,) and the furcula or " merry thought," (/,) and as much as 

 is possible of the meat, which is attached to these latter, (the coracoids 

 and furcula,) be removed by the knife. Then laying hold of the still 

 united heads of the coracoids and scapulas with the fingers of one hand, 

 or, if the bird be very small, with a pair of forceps, the scapulas may 

 be drawn out by a steady pull, the flesh which adheres to them being 

 stripped off in the operation by the fingers of the other hand. The 

 forepart of the sternum can now be lifted up, and the few remaining 

 membranes or ligaments which connect it with the body being severed, 

 the whole sternal apparatus — consisting of the sternum proper, (a a,) 

 the coracoids, (e e,) the furcula, (/,) and the scapulas, (d d) — is easily 

 extracted, and the time occupied by the operation, which it takes so 

 long to describe, will, in the case of a moderately-sized bird, hardly 

 exceed one minute. It then only remains for the collector to rinse or 

 soak the bones for a short time in cold water, for the sake of getting 

 rid of the suffused blood, and to suspend them for a short time exposed 

 to the air ; this last part of the process being completed, if the trav- 

 eler is on the march, by slinging them to the outside of his baggage, 

 whether it be the knapsack he may carry on his back or the pack- 

 saddle of his beast of burden, the simple precaution not being for- 

 gotten of keeping them out of the reach of dogs or predatory wild 

 animals, for by neglecting it many are likely to be destroyed. 



The specimens thus prepared may be packed away in a little dry 

 grass, straw, sea-weed, or paper, there being first of all, affixed to 

 each a ticket with an inscription corresponding in every respect to that 

 fastened on the shins, to which they formerly belonged, so that it may 

 be always possible, without chance of mistake, to refer safety the one 

 to the other. These tickets should be tied to one of the coracoid bones, 

 (e e,) as always affording the strongest point of attachment. 



The removal of the breast bones should always be performed before 

 the carcasses are cooked. If deferred until afterwards, they are almost 

 invariably discolored, rendered greasy, and often warped by that oper- 

 ation; besides which, they run the extra chance of being injured by 

 the carving-knife. Indeed, the dissecting-knife should be employed 

 no more than is absolutely necessary, and then with a light hand and 

 great caution, so as not to cut off any of the sometimes numerous 

 processes which project from the bones, and the situation of which it 

 would be impossible, without a large series of engravings unfitted for 

 a paper of this sort, to bring to the knowledge of traveling naturalists, 

 for whose use it is chiefly intended. It may, however, be remarked 

 that the greatest danger of injury is likely to be incurred in removing 

 the bones of birds of the Gallinaceous order, (Gallince,) including the 

 turkey, the common fowl, the pheasants, partridges, quails, and grouse, 

 all of which have running along either side of the keel or ridge bone, 

 and only attached to the sternum in front, a long spear-like process, 

 and springing from this again a kind of spur which overlaps the ribs, 

 the interspaces being occupied by membranes. Accordingly, the ac- 

 companying illustrations (Figs. 1 and 2) have been chosen from that 

 group, that the collector may be thereby warned of the risk of heed- 

 lessly cutting off these appendages. In the Eail tribe, (Ballidoe,) also, 



