254 BIRDS AND MAN 



noose made of an ostrich feather — therefore more 

 unsportsmanHke. 



To return. The resemblance of falhng flakes to 

 flying white feathers does not deceive birds 

 accustomed to the sight of snow : it is very striking, 

 nevertheless, and so generally recognised that most 

 persons in Europe have heard of the old woman 

 plucking her geese in the sky. It is curious to find 

 the subject discussed in Herodotus. In Book IV. 

 he says : " The Scythians say that those lands 

 which are situated in the northernmost parts of their 

 territories are neither visible nor practicable by reason 

 of the feathers that fall continually on all sides ; 

 for the earth is so entirely covered, and the air is 

 so full of these feathers, that the sight is altogether 

 obstructed." Further on he says : " Touching the 

 feathers . . . my opinion is that perpetual snows 

 fall in those parts, though probably in less quantity 

 during the summer than in winter, and whoever has 

 observed great abundance of snow falling will easily 

 comprehend what I say, for snow is not unlike 

 feathers." 



Probably the Scythians had but one word to 

 designate both. To go back to the St Vincent 

 parrot. Concerning a bird of that species I have 

 heard, and cannot disbelieve, a remarkable story. 



