C 307 3 
*ions as are neceflary for preparing the birds that are 
*o be preferved. 
Thofe who fhoot birds for that purpofe, fhould 
always be provided with a quantity of cotton or fine 
tow, with which to flop the fhot holes, and alfo the 
throat of the bird, to prevent the blood from fouling 
the feathers, which infallibly fpoils them. If the 
birds are not quite killed by the fhot, they fhould 
be immediately difpatched by prefling the thumb nail 
hard upon the wind-pipe, and care fhould always be 
taken to confine the wings as foon as poflible, to pre- 
vent their fluttering. The birds when dead are to be 
carried by the legs, and not be crammed into nets or 
held by the neck, in which laft pofition the weight 
of the body would flretch it beyond the natural 
proportion. When they are brought home, they 
fhould be hung up by the legs, and the flop of 
cotton taken carefully out of the throat, and a fmall 
flick put acrofs between the bill, to keep it open, that 
the blood and fiime may be difeharged by the mouth 
without damaging the plumage. It is alfo neceflary 
to obferve the proper feafons when the birds are in 
the beft condition for prefervation, and when not: 
during the time of incubation, the breafts and bellies 
are without feathers, and the fkin of thofe parts is 
extremely tender ; again, while birds are moulting or 
calling their feathers, they are not fit for prefervation, 
the quills are full of blood, and the plumage not 
of its proper colours. The beft feafons are in the 
Spring and Autumn; but, if we meet with rare 
birds, we muft not lofe the opportunity at any feafon, 
but do as well as we can. 
Young 
R r 2 
