March, 1907.] THE TIOTORIAN NATURALIST. "[95 



any blood marks. These must be washed perfectly clean 

 with the sponge and cold water. Then take off as much 

 water as possible by means of the sponge and a piece of 

 dry rag. Lay the bird on a sheet of paper, put a liberal 

 supply of plaster of Paris on the damp part, scrape the 

 back of the knife over the part so as to remove most of the 

 plaster, then put on a fresh supply and knock the feathers 

 backwards and forwards quickly until quite dry. It is 

 important that, from the moment the plaster is first -put 

 on, no time be lost. Then shake off the surplus 

 plaster, and brush the feathers backwards and for- 

 wards with a bunch of tow, blowing them to assist 

 in removing the last trace of the plaster. Now lay 

 the bird on its back on a sheet of paper, with the head 

 towards the right hand and tail towards the left. Part 

 the feathers down the keel of the breastbone, and cut the 

 skin from about the centre of the breast to the vent, 

 taking care not to cut into the entrails. Now put a little 

 plaster of Paris along the cut. Seize the skin of the 

 breast with the left thumb and finger, and draw the body 

 away with the knife, taking care to wotIc the plaster of 

 Paris on the moist side of the skin, to prevent it from 

 adhering to the flesh. Take the leg in the left hand, and 

 push the skin back with the right, so that the leg can be 

 detached from the body with the scissors at the thigh 

 joint. Clean the flesh off the thigh bone after pushing 

 the skin off down to the shank joint. Now seize the foot 

 and draw the thigh bone back into the skin. Treat the 

 other side in the same manner. Stand the bird on its 

 chest, bend the tail down the back, and work the skin 

 clear near the tail, so that the butt of the tail can be 

 detached from the body. Push the skin down the back, 

 sides, and breast until the junction of the wings with the 

 body can be seen ; cut off the wings close to the body. 

 The skin is now turned inside out. Push it down the 

 neck and over the skull. Cut away the body, leaving 

 about half the neck. The greatest care is now required 

 in disengaging the ears and eyelids. Work the back of 

 the knife under the ear, and then cut towards the back 

 of the skull. Then cut through the transparent skin over 

 the eye, taking care not to cut the eyelid. Cut out the 

 tongue, scrape the flesh off the base of the skull, at the 

 same time removing the piece of neck. Insert the scissors 

 at the point of the jaw, and make a slanting cut towards 

 the back of the crown. Insert the scissors on the other 

 side, and cut towards the end of the first cut. Then cut 



