56 



BEFORE the operator proceeds to remove 

 the skin, he should place the plumage as 

 smooth as possible, and carefully clean it 

 from any spot of blood or dirt that may appear 

 upon it: a little piece of soft linen rag, or pa- 

 per, should he placed in the mouth, which 

 should then be sewed or tied up, to prevent 

 any blood issuing from it. The bird should 

 now be laid on its back, and an incision made 

 with a knife along the breast bone, (where 

 the feathers divide), as far as the vent, taking 

 great care not to cut the flesh: an ivory pa- 

 per knife, or the fingers, may then be intro- 

 duced, to separate the skin from the breast; 

 and some absorbent, as chalk or flour, should 

 be applied occasionally to the inside of the skin, 

 to prevent its adhering to the body. The thighs 

 being gently forced up, the flesh should be cut 

 off, leaving the bone quite clean. The skin may 

 now be easily separated from the body down 

 to the rump, which must be cut off; then draw 



