_or small string may be drawn through the rump, and passed up 
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 
—~, 
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 
inverted and hung up to dry, after using the arsenical soap, as 
above directed ; before doing which, in larger birds, a thread 
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 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. 
