
HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 193 
one to perform the operation with ease and dispatch. Cure 
should always be taken not to stretch the skin, in order that 
its natural dimensions may be preserved. 
fore proceeding to work, provide yourself with a cup 
of Indian-meal, cotton, needle and thread, scalpel and pre- 
servative. In the first place examine the bird, and if any 
spots of -blood be discovered, sprinkle them with Indian- 
meal, and rub it back and forth with the fingers, supplying 
fresh meal from time to time; this will remove it entirely. 
If the blood be dry, apply a little warm water with a sponge, 
; and wash the spot gently. In this manner I have cleaned 
: the entire breast of a bird stained with blood. If any of 
the feathers are bent, they may be restored to position by 
immersing them in warm water. Remove the cotton from 
> the mouth, nostrils and vent, and replace it with fresh stuf- 
3 fing. A piece of small but strong twine should now be 
passed from one nostril through the other on the opposite 
side, and bringing the ends downward tie them beneath the 
lower mandible, leaving them a little longer than the neck 
of the bird. This will aid the operator in turning the head 
back to its natural position after the operation of skinning 
has been finished. Now take an accurate measurement from 
the tip of the bill to: the end of the tail; also the, girth of 
the body behind the wings. The bird is then ready for the 
operation. Placing it upon its back with the tail turned to- 
wards your right hand, with the left separate the feathers 
m the lower extremity of the breastbone, quite down to 
the vent, laying them to the right and left so that the skin 
neath is visible. Place the scalpel upon the lower tip of 
the breastbone and cut the skin from this point in a straight | 
line to the vent, taking care not to sever the thin muscular 
tissue Which covers the intestines ; should this have become 
Accidentally cut, thereby exposing the intestines, remove 
them at once, that they may not soil the feathers. The skin 
must now be separated from the flesh on either side of the 
Incision by passing the flat portion of the scalpel handle be- 
n 25 : 
AMER, NATURALIST, VOL. III. 

















