THE PRACTICAL NATURALIST. 9 
thread through the nostrils ; stuff the throat and nostrils with 
cotton-wool and also apply the same to any wounds, par¬ 
ticularly if in the head; then tie the bill together with the 
thread and leave the ends attached. Lay the bird upon its 
back and separate the feathers down the middle of the body ; 
take the knife and make a slight incision upon the middle of the 
breast-bone, then insert the blade beneath the skin and divide 
it down to the vent ; care must be taken, however, not to 
penetrate the inner skin which covers the abdomen. Now 
take the scalpel, and, with the flattened end, separate the 
skin from the body on each side as far as possible and stuff 
in cotton wool; a little plaster of Paris sprinkled on the 
abdomen, also, prevents the feathers from sticking to it. 
Press in the legs and separate them at the knee-joint, the 
first joint visible. Work the skin off down to the rump on 
each side ; then raise the abdomen, press the tail downward, 
and separate as near the roots of the feathers as possible with¬ 
out injuring the latter. The abdomen may now be wrapped 
in a little wool and held in the left hand while the skinning is 
proceeded with. Push the skin off the back with the scalpel 
or the fingers, care being taken not to stretch or tear it in any 
way. When the wings are reached sever them close to the 
body and proceed to separate the skin from the neck, the 
skin being now turned inside out. When the skull is reached 
work the skin off carefully on each side ; the ear will be found 
to be connected by a small tube—insert the point of the 
scissors under this and pull it out, do not cut it off. Draw 
the skin carefully over the eyes and sever the connecting 
membrane as far from the eyelids as possible ; the open¬ 
ing of the eye will then retain its natural size. Now slice off 
the back portion of the skull and lay the body on one side. 
Scoop out the brain and the eyes, and clean off as much 
as possible of the flesh from the head. Anoint the head 
thoroughly with the soap and fill the eye-sockets and brain 
cavity with cotton-wool; also put a little under the lower 
mandible. Clean off the flesh from the wing and leg bones, 
anoint with soap, and wrap cotton-wool around to replace 
the muscles; clean off also any remaining flesh or fat from 
the skin and rub in the soap. Now take hold of the thread 
attached to the bill and gently work the skin back again ; 
this is effected by shaking the skin and easing with the 
fingers ; avoid stretching or pulling it in any way. Lay the 
skin upon its back again ; tie a thread to each wing-bone, 
and tie the wings the same distance apart as when they were 
on the body. Fill the neck with cotton-wool (not in lumps) ; 
care must be exercised in doing this. The back of the head 
must be properly shaped and the neck must not be swollen 
