SEC. VII HOW TO MAKE A BIRDSKIN 57 



is of continual occurrence ; fortunately it is easier dealt with than 

 greasiness. Much may be done in the field to prevent bloodying of 

 the plumage, as already said. A little blood does not show much 

 on a dark plumage ; but it is of course conspicuous on light or 

 white feathers. Dried blood may often be scraped off, in imitation 

 of the natural process by which a bird cleanses its plumage with the 

 bill ; or be pulverised by gently twiddling the feathers between the 

 fingers, and then blown off. But feathers may by due care be 

 washed almost as readily as clothing ; and we must ordinarily resort 

 to this to remove all traces of blood, especially from white surfaces. 

 If properly dried they do not show the operation. With a soft rag 

 or pledget of cotton dipped in warm water bathe the place assiduously, 

 pressing down pretty hard, only taking care to stroke the feathers 

 the right way, so as not to crumple them, until the red colour dis- 

 appears ; then you have simply a wet place to deal with. Press 

 gypsum on the spot ; it will cake ; flake it off and apply more, till 

 it will no longer stick. Then raise the feathers on a knife -blade 

 and sprinkle gypsum in among them ; pat it down and shake it up, 

 till the moisture is entirely absorbed. Two other fluids of the body 

 will give occasional annoyance,— the juices of the alimentary canal 

 and the eye-water. Escape of the former by mouth, nostrils, or 

 vent is preventable by plugging these orifices, and its occurrence is 

 inexcusable. But shot often lacerates the gullet, crop, and bowels, 

 and though nothing may flow at the time, subsequent jolting or 

 pressure in the game-bag causes the escape of fluids : a seemingly 

 safe specimen may be unwrapped to show the whole belly-plumage 

 a sodden brown mass. Such accidents should be treated precisely 

 like bloodstains ; but it is to be remarked that these stains are 

 not seldom indelible, traces usually persisting, in white plumage at 

 least, in spite of our best endeavours. Eye-water, insignificant as 

 it may appear, is often a great annoyance. This liquor is slightly 

 glairy, or rather glassy, and puts a sort of sizing on the plumage 

 diflncult to efface ; the more so since the soiling necessarily occurs 

 in a conspicuous place, where the plumage is scanty and delicate. 

 It frequently happens that a lacerated eyeball, by the elasticity of 

 the coats, or adhesion of the lids, retains its fluid till this is pressed 

 out in manipulating the parts ; and, recollecting how the head lies 

 buried in plumage at that stage of the process, it will be seen that 

 not only the head, but much of the neck and even the breast, may 

 become wetted. If the parts are extensively soaked, the specimen 

 is almost irreparably damaged. Plaster will absorb the moisture, 

 but much of the sizing may be retained on the plumage ; therefore, 

 though the place seems simply wet, it should be thoroughly washed 

 with water before the gypsum is applied. I always endeavour to 

 prevent the accident ; if I notice a lacerated eyeball, I extract it 



