172 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



feathers just under the wing at the side of the breast, and there 

 make an incision with the point of the knife for not more than 

 half an inch, the fingers of the left hand meanwhile holding the 

 wing away from the body, whilst either the thumb or the finger 

 rests upon it as the case may be. Through the small opening 

 thus made, the flesh of the body appears ; and now, exactly 

 reversing the position of the bird so that the tail will point 

 away, hold down the wing with the fingers of the left hand, 

 slip the point of the knife in between the skin and the flesh, 

 and, cutting upwards so that only the skin and not the flesh is 

 cut, continue over the first joint of the leg, i.e. the femur (see 

 Plates VIII. and X.), where it should end. This, in a pigeon, 

 makes an incision exactly three inches in length, and is shown on 

 Plate IX., Fig. I, the cut having been opened out rather more than 

 would otherwise be the case, for the purpose of demonstration. 

 Now, with the cutting-edge of the knife directed towards 

 the flesh, loosen the edges of the skin for some little distance 

 over the back — say half an inch or so, — holding it away mean- 

 while with the fingers of the left hand. Do the same along the 

 other edge over the wing, breast, and thigh (femur). This, 

 being done with a scraping movement, although the cutting- 

 edge be directed toward the flesh, will loosen the skin without 

 any fear of cuts. Having freed all around rather more than 

 directed for the back, insert a thin layer of wadding between 

 the flesh and skin to prevent the soiling of the feathers. 



Holding now the wing closed, the fingers and thumb of the 

 left hand opposing, free very carefully around the wing towards 

 the broken bone, and then, slipping the knife underneath, make 

 an upward cut and entirely sever the wing from the body, at 

 the fracture. If the bone is not properly broken, or if they 

 come handier, the shears (No. 8) may be used instead of the 

 knife. Probably, with all care, a little flesh will still remain 

 attached to the skin and to that part of the bone of the wing 



