File:The naturalist's guide in collecting and preserving objects of natural history, with a complete catalogue of the birds of the eastern Massachusetts (1873) (14749376614).jpg

Identifier: naturalistsguide01mayn (find matches)
Title: The naturalist's guide in collecting and preserving objects of natural history, with a complete catalogue of the birds of the eastern Massachusetts
Year: 1873 (1870s)
Authors: Maynard, C. J. (Charles Johnson), 1845-1929
Subjects: Taxidermy Zoological specimens Birds
Publisher: Boston, Osgood & co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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tip of the upper mandible to the gape (e) for the length from gape; also from the tip of the lower mandible to the angle of the gonys (s) for the length of gonys (c). In the Hawks, measure to the cere. The color of the eyes, feet, and bill is now observed and recorded, also the date of collection and the locality in which the bird was collected. If the bird is in worn plumage, the fact should be recorded, as this will affect the measurements; also if it is moulting or in perfect plumage. As the records now made are only temporary, signs may be used to save time, such as X would denote an adult bird in perfect plumage, Y; would denote a young bird in worn plumage, YY; 1 would denote a young bird not a year old and moulting, — this stage in the life of the bird is called the young-of-the-year. By using some such signs as these much time will be saved. When the collector becomes expert at measuring, he will find that all small birds can be measured and recorded in THE ART OF PRESERVING BIRDS. 21
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22 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. about three minutes, and the larger ones in a little longer time. Skinning. — First, have plenty of plaster near at hand. Remove the cotton from the mouth and vent, and place a fresh plug in the mouth alone. The method now about to be described is one that will apply to all birds, excepting those to be hereafter named. Place the bird upon its back; with the forefinger and thumb part the feathers on the abdomen, and a bare longitudinal space will be discovered, extending from the breast to the vent. With the scalpel divide the skin in the centre of this bare space, commencing at the lower part of the breast-bone, or sternum (Plate X. o), and ending at the vent. Now peel the skin off to the right and left, and sprinkle plaster upon the exposed abdomen. Force the leg on the right side up under the skin, at the same time drawing the skin down until the joint (p) appears; cut through this joint and draw the leg out as far as the tarsus or first joint (k); with the point of th

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