( 343 ) 

 THE « POWDER-DOWN " OF THE HERON. 



BY 



W. P. PYCRAFT. 



The idea that our native avifauna has now been so 

 thoroughly explored that little of importance remains to 

 be discovered, is, unfortunately, deeply rooted in the 

 minds of many, even enthusiastic, ornithologists. 



Nevertheless it is a fact that we have, as yet, but 

 touched the fringe of this study of British birds. Hosts 

 of problems await our attention, and the attempted 

 solution of these will give rise to as many more as yet 

 unsuspected. 



An outline of the work to be done in relation to 

 nestling birds we have already given, and it is proposed 

 here to present a few facts summarising our knowledge of 

 the curious and mysterious powder which pervades the 

 plumage of certain birds, such, for example, as the 

 Heron-tribe and the Pigeons. 



It is common knowledge that the plumage of the 

 Herons is pervaded by a peculiar " bloom " comparable to 

 that which covers the skin of the grape and other fruits, 

 and, like this, is of a "waxy " character. 



All who have kept Herons in confinement know that 

 the surface of the water in which they bathe is always 

 covered by a thin film of powder of a bluish colour ; a 

 powder which is insoluble and does not appear to mix 

 with the water on which it floats. 



An examination of a dead bird will show that this 

 powder is in some way, to be discussed presently, derived 

 from certain conspicuous jDatches of very remarkably 

 modified feathers, downy in character, but of great length 

 and exceedingly fragile ; so much so that they might be 

 dispersed with a few vigorous puffs of wind : to touch 

 them at all roughly is fatal to them. These curious 



