PLUMAGE IMPERVIOUS TO WET. 249 



dogs who are in good condition can better sustain the intense 

 cold of the water than those whose only defence consists in a 

 shaggy hide. Short-coated dogs are also the most active and 

 powerful swimmers, and get dry sooner than those who are 

 too rough-coated. 



The imperviousness to wet of the plumage of wild fowl is 

 evidently not caused by any power which the birds have of 

 supplying grease or oil to their feathers. The feathers have a 

 certain degree of oiliness no doubt, but from frequent observa- 

 tion I am convinced that it is the manner in which the 

 feathers are placed which is the cause of the water running 

 off' them as it does. 



As long as any kind of wild duck is alive, his skin 

 remains perfectly dry whilst he is in the water, although 

 from the situation in which he may be placed being pur- 

 sued, for instance it is quite impossible for him to find time 

 to "oil his plumage," as some authors assert he does, "in 

 order to keep out the wet;" but the moment a duck or water 

 fowl is dead the water penetrates through the feathers, wetting 

 the animal completely. If one wing is broken, the feathers 

 of that wing immediately become soaked with wet, the bird 

 not having the power of keeping the feathers of the broken 

 part in the proper position to resist the entry of the water. 

 We all know that birds are able to elevate, depress, and in 

 fact to move their feathers in any direction, by a muscular 

 contraction of the skin. When this power ceases they hang 

 loosely in every direction, and the wet enters to the skin. 



The otter's skin never appears to be wet, however long the 

 animal may remain in the water ; but, like the plumage of 

 birds, soon becomes soaked through when the animal is dead. 

 Whilst he is alive the water runs off his hair exactly as it 

 does from the back of a bird during a shower. When we 

 find any bird or animal with its feathers or hair wet and 

 clinging together, it is a sure sign that the poor creature is- 

 either diseased or is suffering from some wound or accident. 



CHAPTEE XXX. 



Taming and Education of Wild Animals The Eagle ; his want of docility 

 Courage and Intelligence of the Noble Falcons The Houud Return of 

 Cats to their home Maternal Instinct of Cats The Carrier- Pigeon 

 Wood- Pigeons Dovecot Pigeons Sight of Pigeons Blue-rock Pigeons 

 Crested Titmouse The Robin ; pugnacious disposition of Sparrows ; 

 impudence of. 



ALMOST every wild animal is more or less capable of being; 



