180 THE naturalist's GUIDE. 



the sides as in small birds; and also at the carpal 

 joints. 



Ducks are treated in the same manner ; but always 

 turn the head on the back, and stitch the feet together. 

 Open on the back of the head, instead of on the throat, 

 when skinning. 



I do not now bend the necks of Herons, but simply 

 lay the head on the back, stitch the legs together at 

 the tarsal joint, bend the legs forward outwardly, then 

 fasten the toes to the wing. This gives the skin a 

 compact form. 



Some three or four summers since, I was accident- 

 ally left on a small islet l^'ing in the midst of the Gulf 

 of St. Lawrence. As this lonely rook was swarming 

 with birds, all of which were desirable, I soon collected 

 a large quantity ; but, unfortunately, when I visited the 

 rock I only intended remaining a few hours, so did 

 not go provided with arsenic for making skins. This 

 omission, although I then considered it a misfortune, 

 proved of great benefit to me, as it resulted in a dis- 

 covery which has since become invaluable. Having 

 skinned a large quantity of birds, and as the vessel 

 which was to take me off did not arrive, I was at loss 

 to know what to do witii them. But, as necessity is 

 the mothei of invention, it occurred to me that I 

 might salt them, and thus carry them home. There 

 was a light-house on the rock, and the keeper had a 

 supply of salt; I procured some, and rubbed it on the 

 skins. These were afterwards simply packed in bar- 

 rels, and sent to Massachusetts. When I came to use 

 them, I found them in perfect condition, only requir- 

 ing to be washed, when they came out like fresh skins. 



I have since applied this method to all large skins, 

 and find that it proves effective, even in Florida. The 

 skin is removed as usual, and simply salted; the salt 



