THE FEATHERS. 1 



break off, and leave the edge of the feather sharp and 

 defined, but of course shorter; in this very simple manner 

 is the bird divested of a quantity of winter clothing, 

 when the weather is warmer, and a superfluity of appa- 

 rel no longer required. In the case of two species of 

 Partridges, called the Wood and Rock Partridge of 

 North America, which, in winter burrow underneath the 

 snow, a still warmer covering is provided, the growth of 

 feathers being actually doubled; so that they have nearly 

 twice as warm a coat, when they most require it, as they 

 had during summer, when it was unnecessary. 



Generally speaking, the colour of the plumage in dif- 

 ferent species is the same; there are, however, some 

 constant exceptions, as, for instance, in the Ruffs and 

 Reeves, in which no two birds are ever found exactly 

 alike. The Ptarmigans, again, vary considerably; the 

 Cross-beak also has the same peculiarity, and it is 

 almost needless to point out the constant variety obser- 

 vable in our common barn-door fowls; but, exclusive of 

 these, which may be called natural variations, there are 

 occasional departures from the usual rule, of an unnatu- 

 ral character. Thus Blackbirds are not unfrequently 

 found very considerably mottled with white. Wood- 

 cocks are now and then shot, of a delicate and uniform 

 fawn colour. We have also seen white Swallows, and a 

 few other small birds; and amongst Crows and Rooks, 

 one or two interlopers may be occasionally observed, 

 with more or less white feathers peeping out from their 

 glossy wings. Closer observations may probably throw 

 additional light upon this singular peculiarity, and we 

 suspect that it will be generally found that it extends 

 through several generations of birds reared by the same 

 pair. In one instance we know, indeed, that this was 

 the case. A pair of Rooks were in the habit of building 

 in a wild spot near Ruthin, where there were few 

 trees affording shelter for others. The attention of the 

 tenant on the farm was soon attracted by the singular 

 appearance of two white young ones, and, to his surprise, 



