Sect. XL] 



ZOOLOGY. 



371 



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and a few words on the mode of performing this operation 

 may be found of use. First put some cotton or bits of 

 blotting-paper into the mouth of the bird to abborb the 

 blood that may be there, and then tie the bill close by 

 passmg a thread with a needle through the nostril and 



round the lower mandible ; then, after parting the breas 



feathers, the incision for skinning should be made from 

 the lower point of the sternvmi, or brea.;^t.-bone5 to the tail, 

 care being taken not to cut into the body. Whilst 

 removing the skin, thrust cotton-wool between it and the 

 body, at the parts not being operated upon, to keep the 

 feathers clean, and prevent them from coming in contact 

 with the moist parts. Having detached the skin of tLosc 

 parts on each side, the legs are next to be, pushed through 

 and cut off at the joint that protrudes ; and then follows 

 the more difficult process of separating the vertebra near 

 the tail. Having detached, however, the legs, and leaving 

 the flesh upon them for the present, the operator must 

 continue to separate the skin from the hind part of the 

 body as well as he can, and then very carefully cut 

 through the vertebral column near the tail, without in- 

 juring the skin above it ; that of the back is then detache .1 

 with much ease, and a little practice Is now necessary to 

 keep back the feathers of the breast while the skin h 

 drawn over the shoulders ; the wings should then be ^epa 



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rated at the shoulder joint, and the skin pulled over tlie 

 neck, and very gently and carefully o , ^r the head, taking 

 especial caution not to enlarpre the auditory orifices or 

 those of the eyes. With the majority of birds the skin 

 may be drawn back over and from the head without much 

 difficulty ; but there are some, as woodpeckers and ducks, 



