HINTS ON TAXIDERMY. 
25 
breastbone and cut the skin from this point in a straight line to 
the vent, taking care not to sever the thin muscular tissue which 
covers the intestines ; should this have become accidentally cut, 
thereby exposing the intestines, remove them at once, that they may 
not soil the feathers. The skin must now be separated from the 
flesh on either side of the incision by passing the flat portion of the 
scalpel handle between the skin and the body. It will be found 
that some birds have the skin bound much closer to the flesh than 
others by means of small ligaments ; these must be severed with 
the scalpel. When the skin is loosened from its attachments 
quite down to the back, and the thigh laid bare, the latter should 
then be pressed inward and the skin turned back, in order that the 
leg may be separated from the body at the second joint, or the 
junction of the tibia with the fibula. Repeat the operation with 
the other side. Next, the rumpt, or that part into which the tail 
feathers are fixed, should be severed from the body at the junction 
of the last dorsal vertebra with the coccyx, taking care not to cut 
the skin upon the back. Should blood at any time be discovered, 
absorb it with Indian-meal, and the oily matter proceeding from 
the fat (which is to be especially avoided in all the marine spe¬ 
cies) may be absorbed with a little powdered chalk. If the bird 
is a large one, it may be now suspended by means of a fish-hook 
with the barb filed off, and attach to a strong cord, which will aid 
greatly in removing the remaining part of the skin ; but if it is a 
small one, it should be placed upright upon its breast, with the 
head lying backward. In this position the skin should be removed 
from the back and breast, by using the handle of the scalpel as 
stated before, until the wings are reached upon both sides. These 
are to be severed from the body at the shoulder-joint. It will be 
found to be much easier to unjoint them by cutting beneath in¬ 
stead of above the joint. The neck having been reached, must be 
turned out until the back part of the skull is laid bare. Having 
separated the cervical vertebrae, or the vertebrae of the neck, 
close to the head, remove the ear by separating the thin skin by 
which it is bound to the ear-socket, being cautious not to injure 
it by tearing or cutting. By close examination it will be seen 
that the eyelid is bound to the edge of the socket by a thin skin ; 
this should be completely severed, thereby freeing the lid from its 
attachments. The eyes may then be removed by passing the 
blade of the scalpel beneath the ball and severing the optic nerve, 
