114 THE SHIKARI 



In the case of game animals the height at the 

 shoulder is of interest, as also is the weight, if it 

 can be obtained. Of course, with large animals all 

 these measurements have to be taken with the tape. 



To skin, make an incision, and remove the pelt as 

 in birds, cutting off the legs at the knee and elbow- 

 joints, pulling out the tail, and skinning the head 

 right out. 



With small beasts, as mice, rats, etc., a neater way 

 is to cut them between the thighs as mentioned for 

 ducks and grebes. Clean off the leg bones and wrap 



Fig. 31. 



them round with cotton-wool. Take the forceps (in 

 the case of mice, etc.), and roll round some wadding 

 the same size and length as the extracted body, place 

 the tip to the tip of the nose of the skin as it lies 

 inside out, and reverse the skin over this false body 

 as a glove over the hand. 



Cut a piece of straight wire longer than the tail 

 and roll tightly some wadding on it to the size of 

 the tail and push it up to the tip. Insert the exposed 

 end of the wire into the body wool, press the skin 

 into shape, and neatly sew up the opening. 



Tie the label on the right hind-leg, place the skin 



