26 COLLECTOR'S MANUAL 



a bare space along the middle, but in ducks and other water 

 birds the feather covering may be practically continuous. If the 

 wings are in the waj T , break the large bone, the humerus, as near 

 the bod} r as possible, which allows the wings to be pushed aside. 

 With a sharp knife cut the skin on the midline from the end 

 of the breastbone (which you can easily feel) to the vent (fig. 20). 



Fig. 20. — Line of opening cut on abdomen. 



Try not to cut the abdominal membrane. Sprinkle some absorbent 

 along the cut and, using the handle of the knife or your finger, 

 separate the skin from the end of the breastbone. Continue this 

 loosening as far as possible on either side of the cut down 

 toward the vent, exposing the knees. Holding the foot, push 

 the knee farther into view (fig. 21) and clip the leg at that point. 

 Do this for both legs, thereby severing them from the body. 



