gently wipe up from under the lower seed first, which will 

 draw it toward you somewhat. Now stop and open the 

 gripper's mouth by spreading your fingers while you hold 

 still as you possibly can, under the seed; when the grippers 



GRIPPERS SPREADERS 



open, the seed will drop below the ring on the lower jaw; 

 then shut them, and now turn the gripper over several 

 times to twist the tunic, then draw out and try to get all the 

 seed and the tunic (covering). The top seed is much easier 

 to get, but it is better to leave it until the last; use it as a 

 guide to get the lower seed first. Now replace the wet 

 feathers properly and let him go without sewing up, as the 

 ribs close the opening. If you have no capon izing instru- 

 ments, split between the ribs with any knife, and take two 

 wires a foot long, bend a hook on one end each and have a 

 boy hold the ribs apart as wide as you like them, while you 

 work. Next have a small ecraseur of your own make out 

 of a goose quill. Cut off the lower point and cut a hole in 



QUILL AND HORSE-HAIR 



the side, get out the pith and insert both ends of a long 

 coarse horse-hair from below, and leave a loop at the lower 

 end like the cut. Through the hole in the side put this loop 

 of hair over the seed, then tighten it by lifting on both ends 

 the hair, and pull all out while you push down to keep it 

 tight, and pull seed, tunic, and all out clean, and you will 



