CHAPTER Y. 



Skinning and Preseeving Birds. 



In order tliat tliis sliall be a thoronglily practical cliapter, 

 I Tvill, in my metliod of working, copy the admirable plan of 

 my old sporting favourite, Col. Hawker, who, when wisliing 

 to note down some difficult point, was in the liabit of doing 

 witb bis own hands all things pertaining to the matter at 

 issue, because, as he said, he might not make mistakes when 

 subsequently writing upon knotty subjects intended for his 

 readers' consideration. 



I have, therefore, specially procured a starling, as I consider 

 this bird the very best for the amateur's purpose, not only 

 on account of the toughness of the skin, but also because, 

 being a medium-sized bird, it presents no difficult points in 

 skinning, and with this bird before me I shall minutely instruct 

 my pupil, pointing out each step that has to be taken and 

 each difficulty that is likely to arise. 



As I shall have occasion constantly to refer to the various 

 parts of the skeleton, I now give an engraving of that of the 

 Peregrine Falcon, in order to help my explanations in the future 

 (see Plate II.). 



Having placed ready for use the skinning knife (see Pig, 

 11), the scissors (Pig. 14), and the cobbler's crooked awl in 

 handle, a pot of preservative mixture, some cotton wool or 

 wadding, some tow, and a needle and thread ; lay the starling 

 on its back on a piece of clean paper, the head of the bird 

 pointing from the operator; then seize the bird by the sides 

 of the head with the first two fingers and thumb of the left 

 hand in opposition, the awl held in the palm of the right 



