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In skinning large birds with touch skins, the skin may be loosened 
along the sides and lower back with fingers and handle of scalpel until 
the skin is free around the rump. Then with the scissors first cut through 
the lower end of the intestine close to the vent, and then through the base 
of the tail far enough forward to avoid cutting the basal ends of the rec- 
trices (tail quills). Never cut off the ends of .the tail feathers or they will 
fall out. If any of the tail feathers come out they may be fastened in 
before filling the skin, by running a small wire into the base of each feather 
from the inside; or, in a small bird, by sticking it in later with glue. 
With small birds, or large birds with tender skins and loose feathers, 
or with skin growing tightly to the hip bones, it is almost impossible to 
work the skin loose all the way around before cutting off the tail. The skin 
is almost sure to rip down the side just behind the legs and the loose 
feathers on the rump are apt to drop off in amazing quantities. The skin 
is carefully loosened back of the legs sufficiently to allow cutting the lower 
tip of the intestine. Absorbent material is dusted in and if necessary a 
plug of cotton put into the out. The tip of the pointed scissors is then care- 
fully inserted just underneath the tip of the posterior vertebrae just ahead 
of the tail bone and the tail bone is snipped off (Figure 28). Use great 
care not to punch a hole in the skin of the rump. Bend the tail back on the 
body leaving the muscles attached to the tail for the time being and strip- 
ping the ends of the muscles off the lower back. Continue to keep all wet 
surfaces covered with absorbent. 
Now hold the body up by the hips, and with the thumb and fingers 
of the other hand, and the scalpel if necessary, separate the skin of rump, 
back, and sides from the body. Keep dusting on absorbent from time to 
time, and by manoeuvring the hands and fingers try to keep the loose ends 
of the feathers away from the flesh as the work goes on. Loose fluffs of 
cotton laid along the dividing line between the skin and flesh will also help 
to keep the feathers away. 
After getting the tail out of the way, the beginner will find it easier 
to hang the specimen up by one or two cords with hooks stuck into the 
pelvis. This enables him to use both hands in the actual skinning opera- 
tions. After a little practice the skinning operations will become familiar 
and the hooks will not be needed, although it is often convenient to suspend 
