room, when all their parts are in a natural position. 
In some instances, as among the ducks, wood peck- 
ers, &c, the head is so large that the skin of the neck 
cannot be drawn over it. In such cases, skin the neck 
down to the base of theskull,and cut it off there. Then 
draw the head out again, and making an incision on 
the outside, down the back of the scull, skin the head. 
Be careful not to make too long a cut, and to sew up 
the incision again. 
It is exceedingly interesting to have the nests and 
eggs of birds, particularly the latter. To prepare these 
make a small hole at each end, and suck or blow out 
the contents. If the egg should contain a young bird, 
it maybe removed by making a larger hole in th' J 
side. The inside should be well washed after the op- 
eration is finished, and allowed to dry before putting 
away. 
Quadrupeds. — The mode of preparing quadrupeds 
is precisely the same as the preceding, in all its gener- 
al features. Care should be taken not to make too 
large an incision along the abdomen. The principal 
difficulty will be experienced in skinning the tail. To 
effect this, pass the slip knot of a piece of strong twine 
over the severed end of the tail, and fastening the ver- 
tebrae firmly to some support, pull the twine towards 
the tip, until the skin is forced off. Should the animal 
be large, and an abundance of preservative not at hand 
the skin had better remain inverted. In all cases it 
should be thoroughly and rapidly dried. 
Reptiles and Fish — These may be skinned when 
