but a little experience in skinning will soon remove 
the trouble. 
Having freed the tail, proceed very cautiously 
along the back, gradually working round the body 
until the wings are reached. The latter must be 
severed by cutting through the flesh and ligaments 
at the fractures made previously with the pliers. 
Then by gently working the skin over the neck, the 
base of the skull will appear. 
Great care and patience must be exercised in 
skinning the head, as it is the most delicate part of 
the operation, and the stage at which a tear, if 
serious, can seldom be satisfactorily remedied. At 
this point, the skinning should be helped by a series 
of slight cuts until the base of the bill is reached. 
Soon after passing the base of the skull, pro- 
gress will be checked by arrival at the ears. The 
skin must be freed, by lifting it out with an awl or 
the point of the knife. (In the case of small birds 
the skin may be scratched out by the finger nail). 
Gradually skinning a little further, progress will 
again be stopped, this time by two dark patches 
appearing, near the summit of the skull. These are 
the eyes, and they must be passed by carefully cut- 
ting the membrane which connects the eyelids with 
the orbits, at the same time gently drawing the skin 
towards the base of the bill. 
Having safely carried the skinning to the bill, 
dig out the eyeballs by means of the brain 
scoop, or the scissors blades slightly opened, 
faking, care.- not’. to -.burst them, “or siaae 
vitreous humours will soil the head feathers. 
24 
