birdskin

birdskin

English

Etymology

bird +‎ skin

Noun

birdskin (plural birdskins)

1. the skin of a bird, detached from that bird, especially as prepared during study of the bird or for display
   • 1895, Frank M. Chapman, Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America, D. Appleton and Company, New York, page 28:

     Upon reaching stage 36, in the operation of making a birdskin, cut through the left side of the body from the vent to the neck, taking care not to disturb the internal organs. Force the edges of the opening apart, and, pressing the intestines gently to one side, look for the sexual organs, which will be found on the walls of the small of the back to the left of the backbone.

   • 1940, James Paul Chapin, The preparation of birds for study: Instructions for the proper preparation of bird skins and skeletons for study and future mounting, American Museum of Natural History, page 43:

     The individual birdskins, with or without their cotton wrapping, are rolled in cylinders of paper and packed tightly enough to prevent any displacement during transportation.