Tying a game bird

Position the bird on its back with legs facing away from you. Pull out string that is roughly four times the length of the bird but don’t cut it from the ball.

Place the string under the bottom of the bird and cross it on top of the cavity but under the breast and pull it fairly tight. Hook the string behind each leg. Then turn the bird 90 degrees anti-clockwise and pull the string nearest you under the body and away. Do the same with the other end of the string, bring it round over the top and wind it round the body 3 times – you don’t want it to be slack at all, but also it shouldn’t be so tight that it cuts into the flesh. Cut the string and tie the loose ends in a double knot.