34 MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 



cold, often in one or two hours, but in moderate 

 temperature a bird had better lie for at least six 

 hours after it has been killed. Take then a speci- 

 men in the proper condition, lay it on its back 

 on a bench, on which clean paper has been spread, 

 with its head from you, but slightly inclined to the 

 left. Now part the feathers of the abdomen with 

 the left hand, and, excepting in ducks and a few 

 other species, a space, either naked or covered 

 with down, will be seen extending from the lower 

 or costal extremity of the sternum to the vent. 

 Insert the point of the knife, which is held in the 

 left hand, with the back downward, under the 

 skin near the sternum, and, by sliding it down- 

 ward, make an incision quite to the vent, taking 

 care not to cut through the walls of the abdomen. 

 This can readily be avoided in fresh birds, but not 

 in specimens that have been softened by lying too 

 long. The fingers of the right hand should be em- 

 ployed during this operation in holding apart the 

 feathers. Now sprinkle meal or preservative in 

 the incision, especially if blood or juices flow out, 

 in order to absorb them and prevent them soiling 

 the feathers. Next, with the thumb and finger of 

 the right hand, peel down the skin on the left side 

 of the orifice, at the same time pressing the tibia 



