Cutting out a Bird from a pattern?

[foamer01]

Hi,
Yet another very elementary question so please don't laugh. I am getting ready to cut out a Woodcock from a Stiller Pattern. The side profile looks pretty staright foward as far as cutting it out, what about the top profile. Do you cut that as well or cut the side profile and draw in the top profile and waste that away with my carving tools. Thanks for helping the "new guy."
Foamer

[Hugh-P]

cut your block to the width of the bird, for example if the bird is 5 inches wide at the widest part, make your block 5 inches wide, and then trace on your side profile, and cut it out. Then you measure in the center line, all the way around the block, measure the dimensions of the widest part of the head , cut it out as far down as the top of the shoulder, measure the tail dimensions, rough it out, then start rounding the body. Often times if you cut out the top profile on the band saw you will be trimming off too much wood from the shoulder of the bird.

[DickB]

Foamer, I'm glad you asked that question. I have a Stiller woodcock pattern too and I was wondering the same thing.

Hugh, thanks for the tip.
Have a great day guys.
DickB