114 Practical Zoology. 



the flesh, using the thumb and finger nails. It will not do to pull 

 on the skin, as it is too tender. On reaching the heel remove all 

 the flesh, leaving the bone. Now pour about half a teacupful of 

 arsenic on a plate. Hold the everted leg over the plate and apply 

 arsenic thoroughly to the skin and the bone. Take hold of the toes 

 and pull the skin right side out again. Repeat this with the other 

 side; After loosening the skin well back on the sides, lift the bird, 

 rest the front end of the breast on the table, and turn the tail toward 

 the back. Cut through the bones supporting the tail close to the 

 bases of the tail feathers, but care must be taken not to loosen them. 

 Over the rump there is almost no flesh and the skin adheres to the 

 bone. Especial care must be taken here not to tear the skin. 



Continue toward the head, turning the skin wrong side out. 

 From this point on, it is very convenient to have a suspended 

 hook by which to hang the bird so you can use both hands in 

 skinning. Otherwise hold the body just in front of the hips. If 

 pressure is applied to the abdomen its soft contents may be forced 

 out. When the shoulders are reached, skin as far as the elbow 

 and cut oft* the wings where the bones were broken. When the 

 head is reached great care must be exercised. Proceed slowly, 

 pressing the skin loose with the nails. At the ear, the thin sac, 

 lining the ear down to the drum, must be pulled out. In skinning 

 past the eyes be sure not to cut the eyelids. Continue to the base 

 of the bill. Sever the neck close to the skull, cut out the base of 

 the skull and remove the brain by scooping it out with the handle 

 of the scalpel. Remove the eyes, tongue, and all soft tissues on 

 the head. Now return to the wings and cut away all the muscle 

 from the humerus. It is not safe to try to skin beyond the elbow 

 because it would loosen the secondaries; but the fleshy inner sur- 

 face of the forearm may be uncovered, part of the muscle removed, 

 and arsenic pushed in to poison what remains. Remove any par- 

 ticles of muscle or fat still adhering to the skin. Now lay the skin, 

 still turned inside out, on the plate of arsenic. Roll it over and 

 over in the arsenic and thoroughly rub the preservative on every 

 part of the skin, skull, and other bones, especially at the wings, legs, 



