3. PREPARING SKINS 11 



3. PREPARING SKINS 



Preparing a skin is the longest and most complex form of preparation of a 

 bird as museum material. The following account describes the method 

 most frequently used and some variations which have also proved successful. 



Instruments and materials for skinning 



Although birds have been skinned with only a penknife, the more adequate 

 the equipment the easier and speedier the skinning will be, and the more 

 satisfactory the final product. For competent general collecting the follow- 

 ing equipment is suggested, the first list being the essential minimum and the 

 second the useful additional items. 



1 pair fine pointed scissors with blades about 1 inch long. 



1 scalpel with blade about \\ inches long. 



1 small surgeon's scalpel with detachable blades. 



1 pair medium forceps about 5 inches overall. 



1-| inch stiff flat paint brush, for applying preservative. 



Sewing and darning needles, assorted sizes. 



Reels of sewing cotton and thread. 



Absorbent cotton wool. 



Dusting powder (see appendix 1). 



Insect repellant (see appendix 1). 



Preservative for skins (see appendix 1). 



Collector's labels. 



Note book, pens, ink, etc. 

 Useful additions to the above are; 



1 pair medium sized pointed scissors with blades about l^-lf inches 

 long. 



1 pair large round-tipped forceps about 10 inches overall. 



1 pair side-cutting pliers for wire and bone. 



1 artist's paint brush, soft hair no. 6. 



1 carborundum stone for sharpening scalpels. 



1 pair of dividers. 



1 rustless steel rule divided into millimetres. 



Pins. 



Wooden sticks and split cane (see appendix 1). 



Tow or wood wool ("excelsior"). 



Powdered Alum. 



Small coil of galvanised wire. 



Paper (newspaper). 



Hand-lens. 



Preparations for skinning 



Working under field conditions is difficult and where possible a table or 

 flat board should be used as a working surface. Sheets of newspaper which 

 can be changed when soiled can be used to cover the surface. The skinning 

 tools and material should be set out on the working area in a consistent and 

 convenient arrangement, together with a small pot of water. To ensure 

 cleanliness of plumage while skinning it is essential to use only one side or 



