28 Handbook of Nature-Study 



When a hen oils her feathers it is a process well worth observing. The 

 oil gland is on her back just at the base of the tail feathers; she squeezes 

 the gland with her beak to get the oil and then rubs the beak over the sur- 

 face of her feathers and passes them through it; she spends more time 

 oiling the feathers on her back and breast than those on the other parts, 

 so that they will surely shed water. Country people say when the hen 

 oils her feathers, it is a sure sign of rain. The hen sheds her feathers once 

 a year and is a most untidy looking bird meanwhile, a fact that she seems 

 to realize, and is as shy and cross as a young lady caught in company in 

 curl papers; but she seems very pleased with herself when she finally 

 gains her new feathers. 



Feathers of a rooster, showing their relative size, shape and position 



i , neck hackle; 2, breast; 3, wing shoulder covert ; 4, wing flight covert ; 5, wing primary ; 

 6, wing secondary; 7, wing covert; 8. back; 9, tail covert; 10, main tail; 11, fluff; 

 12, thigh; 13, saddle hackle; 14. the sickle or feather of beauty; 15, lesser sickle. 

 Prof. J. E. Rice in Rural School Leaflet. 



