SKINNING. 27 



be well rubbed with arsenical soap, or preserving- powder, or 

 spirit of turpentine, or the solution of corrosive sublimate. 

 When it is wished to stuff the bird, it may now be immediately 

 done, as it will easily dry, if in a warm climate ; but in low 

 damp countries, it will require artificial heat to do it effectually. 



When the skins are merely wished preserved, the bones of 

 the legs and wings should be wrapped round with cotton or 

 tow, so as to supply the place of the flesh ; the skin is then 

 inverted and hung up to dry, after using the arsenical soap, as 

 above directed ; before doing which, in larger birds, a thread 

 or small string may be drawn through the rump, and passed up 

 the inside of the neck, and drawn through the bill, to prevent 

 the head from stretching too much by its own weight. In 

 larger specimens, where cotton or tow is not easily to be met 

 with, well-dried hay may be used. 



The incision for removing the skin is frequently made under 

 the wings. This may be done with marine birds to advantage. 

 The Penguins and Divers may be skinned, by making the in- 

 cision in the back. 



The tongue should either be kept in the mouth, or sent 

 home separately with the birds. 



The greatest care must be taken to prevent the fat and 

 oily matter, so common to sea-birds, from getting 1 on the 

 feathers : pounded chalk will be found an excellent absorbent, 

 for applying to these birds. 



In sending- home specimens of birds, they should be each 

 wrapped in paper, and closely packed in a box ; and camphor, 

 preserving powder, and strong aromatics, strewed amongst 

 them, to prevent them from being attacked by insects; and 

 they ought to be kept in a very dry part of the vessel. 



It is of the utmost consequence to know the colour of the 

 eyes and legs of birds, and these things should be carefully 

 noted the moment they are killed ; and it should also be men- 

 tioned whether they are male or female : such a memorandum 

 ought to be attached to the birds by a ticket. The season 

 of the year, in which the bird is killed, must also be men- 

 tioned. It is also of much consequence to have good skele- 

 tons, and, for this purpose, the carcases may be sent home 

 in a barrel, either in spirits or a strong- solution of salt and 

 water. 



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