THE FEATHERS. 69 



tail is spread out like a fan, and is in a constant state of 

 quivering motion, balancing the bird, while the wings 

 are keeping it afloat. 



It is clear, that if water could soak into the soft 

 feathery covering of a bird, every shower of rain would 

 be the death of thousands, inasmuch as it would increase 

 their weight considerably, and at the same time, by 

 destroying the fine elastic nature of the feathers, entirely 

 disable them from flying, and they must remain in a 

 helpless state upon the ground, either to perish from 

 hunger, or become a prey to men or animals, who would 

 catch them without trouble. But against such a possi- 

 bility they are guarded by an abundant oily covering, 

 which is constantly renewed; so that the rain, instead of 

 sinking in, runs off, without remaining an instant ; and 

 we all know that if we take up a Duck, or any swim- 

 ming bird, we shall find, though it might have been 

 diving just before, that it is perfectly dry and free from 

 all damp. But this principle of life, if it may be so 

 called, in a feather, ceases with the life of the bird; for 

 if we were to throw a dead Duck into the water, we 

 should soon find that its coat had lost all power of re- 

 sisting water, and become a spongy mass of moisture. 

 But besides this, some birds, certain Eagles, Hawks, 

 Owls, and Herons, for instance, are furnished with a very 

 fine dust or powder, which is supposed to be of use in 

 preserving their plumage, though in what way is not at 

 present exactly known. 



The growth of feathers in young birds in hot and 

 favourable weather is very remarkable. It has been 

 ascertained by attending to nestlings, that in eight days 

 after their appearing from the egg in a helpless naked 

 state, they have acquired a full coating of feathers, and 

 are able to make some use of their wings. 



That feathers are essential to a bird in its wild and 

 natural state there can be no doubt; but they are not, 

 it would seem, in all cases absolutely necessary, for a 

 featheiiess naked Canary-bird was once actually reared, 



