MANNER OF SKINNING BIRDS, AS PRACTISED AT 

 THE JARDIN DES PLANTES, PARIS. 



First, a needle, full of thread, is passed across the nostrils, 

 and tied under the lower mandible. A little cotton is intro- 

 duced into the mouth, and every care taken, that neither 

 blood nor oily matter is allowed to soil the feathers of the 

 head, as it is no easy matter to remove it from that part. 



The bird is laid on a table, on its back, and the feet from 

 you, with the head placed towards your left hand. The feathers 

 of the breast and belly are then divided right and left with 

 a pair of forceps, and the down which covers the belly is pulled 

 off. An incision is then made in the skin with the scalpel, 

 from the upper edge of the sternum, or breast-bone (see plate 

 I. fig. 1. c.), until you reach the middle of the belly (see plate I. 

 fig. 1. d.) The skin of one side is then lifted with the forceps, 

 and separated from the muscles of the breast, by the point 

 and end of the scalpel, used alternately, until you reach as 

 near as possible the wings. Having accomplished this, a small 

 quantity of cotton, dusted over with flour, or powdered whiten- 

 ing, is placed on the flesh, lo prevent the skin from adhering 

 to it. The thighs are then forced forward, and cut through 

 between the femur and tibia (plate I. fig. 1. e. and/) ; the 

 femur is then returned into its place, in the skin. You then 

 separate the skin from the rump, by the use of the scalpel and 

 the fingers: this part being left to support the feathers of 

 the tail. The part of the carcase which is now denuded of its 

 skin, is taken into the left hand, and the skin separated from 

 the sides; in which operation, small scissors are used for 

 cutting any of the tendons which may be met with. The wings 

 are now separated from the trunk, by the end of the os humeri 

 (plate I. fig. 1. #.), and again pushed back into their place. 

 The neck and head are skinned, as we have described at page 

 26, and the same method formerly pointed out, is employed in 

 removing the brain; while cotton and flax are applied, and 

 any moisture absorbed by means of plaster of Paris or dry 

 earths, which prevent the feathers from adhering. 



The wings are now removed, properly cleaned of their flesh, 

 and restored to their place, after being rubbed with the arsenical 



