54 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



wish to preserve. Once again, I emphasize the point that the young Nature 

 student will only be doing harm, in the long run, by making a collection of 

 dead birds or their skins. Occasionally, for purposes of study, such as that of 

 the differences in the sexes, or changes in plumage at different ages or seasons, 

 it is an advantage to be able to inspect a preserved specimen ; but the place 

 for this is the museum or the local art gallery. 



But it often happens in the course of one's rambles that one finds a dead 

 bird, recently killed my own youthful memories remind me of many such 

 discoveries and the wish presents itself immediately to preserve the skin, 

 or even make an attempt to stuff it ! The latter task is too involved for this 

 book, but the following simple directions will be useful for preserving it. 



First, to skin the bird. Put it on its back, with head towards you, and blow 

 aside the feathers from breast to vent. Then, on the bare flesh thus exposed, 

 cut with a sharp pair of scissors a slit (take care to cut the skin only, and 

 not the flesh) from the end of the breastbone to the vent. Raise the skin, forcing 

 the flesh away from it with some suitable instrument the thin blade of a small 

 paper-knife will do, or the handle of a tea-spoon. When you come to the 

 legs, you must push them in from the outside until the shank or knee is exposed, 

 and then the leg must be cut through, leaving the bony lower part in the skin. 

 Similar cuts have to be made (i) at the vent itself, (2) the tail-bone, and (3) the 

 shoulder joints of the wings. The head is the most difficult of all, and is left 

 till last. The skin comes away over neck and head as far as the ears fairly 

 easily ; but when the ears are reached, a sharp blade of pocket-knife or scalpel 

 must be used to cut round the membrane. Then the skin is pushed back until 

 the eyes are just cleared. The knife is again used to slit their membranes, 

 and they are scraped out. The skin is now hanging loose, fixed only to the 

 fore-part of the head. Cut the head off the body, then open the lower part 

 of the skull, and remove the inside. Then go back over the skin, which is 

 now inside out, and clear away any adhering flesh or fat. Put the preserva- 

 tive mentioned below freely over the skin and in the skull, and hem the skin 

 right way hi beginning at the head, pressing this inwards, for this is the first 

 move in the game. The feathers will be much disturbed, but can be stroked 

 smooth with a pad of cotton wool. A little wad or roll of wool is prepared for 

 the neck, and pushed into position. A second wad, egg-shaped, forms the 

 body of the bird. Shape the latter into a firm contour, with thread wound 

 round it tightly. Powder these wads with the preservative before putting 

 them in place. Finally, stroke and arrange the feathers in position with a 

 pad, or even a fine brush. 



There is one hint of great value in handling a bird in this manner. Have 

 some plaster of Paris at hand, and if the feathers get stuck, or your fingers 

 in any way messy, dust them with the powder freely. It will all brush off 

 afterwards. Treat the body of the bird and the inside of the skin in the same 

 manner. 



The preservative can be bought ready made, but the following is as good 



