6 OF SKINNING QUADRUPEDS. 



without the means of conveying- skins of quadrupeds or birds, 

 we would say a word or two. When he has killed and examined 

 an animal or bird, which appears new to him, after having 

 noted down all its characters, he ought to attempt a draw- 

 ing of the object, as the next best substitute for the skin. 



The indefatigable Wilson, whose unbounded zeal led him 

 to explore the mighty wilds of America, in search of informa- 

 tion regarding the feathered tribes, but who, without either 

 money or patronage, could not transport their skins across 

 these nearly boundless wildernesses, was compelled to adopt 

 these, the only means he had, and to delineate their forms and 

 features, in their native colours, as faithfully as he could, as 

 records at least of their existence. 



Audubon adopted this method. He pinned the bird to a 

 tree in some natural position, held out by wires, &c., then 

 made a drawing while the animal was yet warm. By this 

 means he could imitate those beautiful tints which are alone to 

 be found in living nature ; and the forms being still those of 

 the real subject, were likely to surpass those of stuffed sped - 

 mens. 



CHAP. I. 



OF SKINNING, PREPARING, AND MOUNTING THE 

 MAMMALIA, OR QUADRUPEDS. 



OF SKINNING. 



WHEN a quadruped is killed, and its skin intended for stuffing, 

 the preparatory steps are to lay the animal on its back, and 

 plug up its nostrils, mouth, and any wounds it may have re- 

 ceived, with cotton or tow, to prevent the blood from disfig- 

 uring the skin. A longitudinal incision is then made in the 

 lower part of the belly, in front of the pubis, and extended 

 from thence to the stomach, or higher if necessary, keeping in 

 as straight a line as possible, and taking care not to penetrate 

 so deep as to cut into the abdominal muscles. In some in- 



