HOW BIRDS DRESS. Lz 
Sit down on the grass under a tree, or on a seat in 
the park, and see the birds dress themselves. Every 
separate feather is cleaned and pulled and looked over, 
just as a woman cleans and stretches delicate lace and 
embroidery. See how the loose feathers are pulled out 
and dropped, like so many useless ravellings or worn 
threads. The bird watches the falling plume until it 
reaches the ground, canting her head to one side to see 
what becomes of her tatters, and then she goes on with 
her dressing. 
Madam Bird manages very well to twist about and 
reach all of her clothes except her head-dress. Have 
you wondered how a bird can turn its head all around 
in a way that would cramp your own neck if you should 
try it?) The neck of a bird is more flexible than yours; 
that is, it is furnished with more joints, so that the bird 
can turn its head readily and dress itself with ease. 
A bird never changes the whole of its dress at once. 
Little by little the feathers drop out or are pulled away, 
so that they are not missed. If they should all come 
out in one day or one week, the bird would be helpless 
and unable to fly. 
If you should attempt to smooth a bird’s feathers 
without knowing how, you would very likely make her 
look very ragged. Naturalists, who know how because 
they have practised so much, can smooth and pull the 
feathers as well as the bird herself. They can pick 
up a hurt bird and by a few touches make her look 
respectable. 
Cc 
