WINTER GULL. 



557 



rise a considerable way from the ground with the loss only of part of 

 the primary quills. 



In order to perform the operation at either of these places, the ope- 

 rator should be furnished with a long- needle and coarse strong* thread, 

 which should be used double. Let the bird be held by an assistant, and 

 having- cut away the small feathers of the wing- at the part intended to 

 be amputated, pass the needle through between the two bones, as close 

 as possible to the lesser bone, taking- the inside of that bone for guiding 

 the point of the needle. Return the needle on the opposite side of the 

 great bone, a little within the skin, then bring the two ends together, 

 and make a double turn in the first knot, to prevent slipping after tying, 

 and draw the knot strongly, so as to form a ligature upon the vessels, 

 and then tie a second knot. It will be obvious that by this ligature the 

 larger bone, and the greater part of the flesh are enclosed, and as the 

 main artery, or its principal branch, lies on the inside of that bone, am- 

 putation may then be performed with safety, and the ligature need 

 never be removed. It now only requires to place the wing on a block 

 of wood, and with a sharp knife and a hammer, to take the pinion oif 

 about the eighth of an inch below the ligature. 



It will be readily perceived that a ligature tied round the two bones 

 would not compress the main artery ; besides, by enclosing only a part 

 of the limb, the ligature is not only secure from slipping, but the stump 

 more readily heals. 



If the wing of a bird is fractured by a shot as high up as the joint 

 g, the same operation may be performed with safety by passing the 

 needle and thread a little within the skin, on each side the bone, just 

 above the fractured part, and tying it as before described ; then, with a 

 sharp knife, cut the flesh round at the fracture, and if any splinter of 

 the bone projects, it should be snipped off with a cutter, or a pair of 

 scissors, as close as possible to the flesh. In all these cases, the bird 

 may be set at liberty as soon as it is perceived that the ligature has 

 been sufficiently tightened to prevent bleeding, and never requires any 

 further care. 



When the amputation is performed at i of joint c, the spurious 

 wing (Alula spuria) should be suffered to remain, as it gives a finish 

 to the wing, and hides the stump.* 



WINNARD. — A name for the Redwing. 



WIND THRUSH.— A name for the Redwing. 



WINTER BONNET.— A name for the Gull. 



WINTER DUCK.— A name for the Pintail Duck. 



WINTER GULL.— A name for the Gull {Lams Canus) in the 

 second year's plumage. 



