28 SKINNING. 
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 scaipel, 
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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,asmall _ 
quantity of cotton, dusted over with fiour, or powdered whiten- | 
ing, is placed on the flesh, to 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 f); 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. g.), 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 
