34 
MANUAL OF TAXIDERMY. 
cold, often in one or two hours, but in moderate 
temperature a bird had better lie for at least six 
hours after it has been killed. Take then a speci- 
men in the proper condition, lay it on its back 
on a bench, on which clean paper has been spread, 
with its head from you, but slightly inclined to the 
left. Now part the feathers of the abdomen with 
the left hand, and, excepting in ducks and a few 
other species, a space, either naked or covered 
with down, will be seen extending from the lower 
or costal extremity of the sternum to the vent. 
Insert the point of the knife, which is held in the 
left hand, with the back downward, under the 
skin near the sternum, and, by sliding it down- 
ward, make an incision quite to the vent, taking 
care not to cut through the walls of the abdomen. 
This can readily be avoided in fresh birds, but not 
in specimens that have been softened by lying too 
long. The fingers of the right hand should be em- 
ployed during this operation in holding apart the 
feathers. Now sprinkle meal or preservative in 
the incision, especially if blood or juices flow out, 
in order to absorb them and prevent them soiling 
the feathers. Next, with the thumb and finger of 
the right hand, peel down the skin on the left side 
of the orifice, at the same time pressing the tibia 
