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CHAPTEK XVIII. 



HOW TO SKIN A BIRO. 



By F. W. Styan, F.Z.S. 



A BIRD can be perfectly well skinned with the aid of a sharp knife and a pair of scissors, 

 ^^ or even with a knife alone; but in most cases the following articles, or some of them, 

 can be easily obtained, and will prove useful : — 



REQUISITES. 



A blunt knife for scraping the skin clean ; a pair of slender forceps ; needles and thread. 



Cotton wool and tow, or if these cannot be obtained on the spot, any soft material, such 

 as dry moss or clean hay, to fill the skin with when finished. 



Some dry, clean powder, such as plaster of Paris, chalk, fine sawdust or, at an emergency, 

 flour or dry sand. This is to be used to stop the bleeding of wounds, dry up liquid fat 

 and other moisture which might spoil the feathers, and also to keep the fingers dry and 

 clean when handling the skin. The best thing perhaps is a mixture of plaster of Paris and 

 fine sawdust. 



Some preservative powder or paste. 



Labels on which to record the date, place, and if possible the sex of the specimens. 

 These particulars treble the value of any skin. 

 Note. — When possible and all the above materials can be obtained, use them all and by carefully following the 



directions given, make good looking, clean skins which will be a handsome addition to any cabinet and 



can always be moimted if desired. But if, as often happens, the operator finds himself pressed for time, 



or in a remote region without the necessary materials, let him skin the bird with a penknife, and ch-y the 



inside thoroughly with the best clean powder he can lay his hands on ; not troubling about stuffing or 



sewing it up. A skin of this kind will always be of value. 



FIRST STEPS. 



When a bird is shot, fill the mouth and nostrils with cotton wool, tow, moss or dry 

 grass to stop any bleeding; if possible dust a little clean powder on the wounds. Have the 

 bird carried by the legs, head downward, exposed to the air and not put into a game-bag. 

 On reaching home, if the bird is not to be skinned at once, remove the wool from the mouth 

 and replace if by a fresh piece. An excellent thing to keep a bird fresh is a pencil of 

 charcoal placed in the gullet. 



