
194 HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
tween the skin and the body. It will be found that some 
birds have the skin bound much closer to the flesh than 
others by means of small ligaments; these must be severed 
with the scalpel. When the skin'is loosened from its attach- 
ments quite down to the back, and the thigh laid bare, the 
latter should then be pressed inward and the skin turned 
back, in order that the leg may be separated from the body 
at the second joint, or the junetion of the tibia with the fib- 
ula. Repeat the operation with the other side. Next, the 
rump, or that part into which the tail feathers are fixed, 
should be severed from the body at the junction of the last 
dorsal vertebra with the coccyx, taking eare not to cut the 
skin upon the back. Should blood at any time be discov- ` 
ered, absorb it with Indian-meal, and the oily matter pro- 
ceeding from the fat (which is to be especially avoided in 
all the marine species) may be absorbed with a little pow- 
dered chalk. If the bird is a large one, it may be now 
suspended by means of a large fish-hook with the barb filed 
off, and attached to a strong cord, which will aid greatly 
in removing the remaining part of the skin; but if it is à 
small one, it should be placed upright upon its breast, with 
the head lying backward. In this position the skin should 
be removed from the back and breast, by using the back of 
the scalpel as stated before, until the wings are reached 
upon both sides. These are to be severed from the body 
at the shoulder-joint. It will be found to be much easier 
to unjoint them by cutting beneath instead of above the 
joint. The neck having been reached, must be turned out 
until the back part of the skull is laid bare. Having sepa- 
rated the cervical vertebre, or the vertebre of the neck, 
; date to the head, remove the ear by separating the thin skin 
_ by which it is bound to the ear-socket, being cautious not 
— to injure it by tearing or cutting. By close examination 
it will be seen that the eyelid is bound to the edge of the 
. Sócket by a thin skin; this should be completely “severed, 
_ thereby ere the lid from its attachments. The eyes 



To SO ee kee sag eer URP Aa ee eae ES Sr E TEE SS IER CNET re 

