SOME RESULTS OF OSTKlCIl 1 N VESTKIATK )N S. 



240 



various plumes is irregular ; some are only jiartly grown, while 

 others are ripe or over-ripe. Further, to allow the illumes to 

 remain on the bird until natural moulting takes place, wmild 

 result in a serious deterioration and depreciation in value, as a 

 result of the wear and tear during the two or more months after 

 the plume is ripe. Hence all feathers are clipped as soon as the 

 plume part is fully developed, and then the quill is allowed to 

 remain in the socket until it matures also, the process requiring at 

 least two months after clipping has taken place. ( Fig. i . ) 



Fig. I. 



The first clipping occurs when the chicks are six months old, 

 and all the commercial feathers, technically called spadonas, are 

 removed. The quills rernaining are then fully ripe in about two 

 months' time, that is, all the medulla, with its blood and nerves, 

 is withdrawn, and the tip of the quill rounded of¥. T^eft to 

 natural moulting, the quills would be ])ushed out at different 

 times, and the second crop of feathers begin to grow in an 



