BIRDS 



35 



ends of the large bones of the wing, the humeri, after tying 

 should lie at the same distance apart as when in position in the 

 bird before skinning. 



Lay the bird skin on its back and insert the protruding end of 

 the stick into the body, through the neck, pressing it into the 

 roof of the mouth so that the 

 head fits on it firmly. The tip 

 of the bill should be on a line 

 with the body (see fig. 35). 

 Carefully fit the skin into place 

 around the body and sew it to- 

 gether across the belly with two 

 or three stitches (fig. 33). 



Make sure the bill is closed 

 evenly, if necessary tying it 

 shut. Arrange and smooth the 

 feathers of head, neck, and 

 body. Fold the wings as in a 

 bird when at rest. With your 

 fingers pinch the skin away 

 from the body on the upper 

 back and press together the 

 wing bones there so that they 



are in place above the body. Holding the bird in your hand, make 

 sure the two wing tips are even, then lay the specimen on a 

 square sheet of cotton about the length of the bird (fig. 34). 



Open the carcass by cutting it on the left side. Press the in- 

 testines to one side and look for the sex glands on the midwall 

 of the lower back. If the bird is a male, there will be two testes, 



Fig. 30. — Removing tendons 

 from foot and toes in large 

 birds. 



