404 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



Mr. Macintosh's coats, and combine therewith the 

 superior property of being readily permeable to 

 the perspiration from the skin of the bird. We 

 are very apt to pity birds in wet weather, as if 

 they were without any protection, but in reality 

 they are better protected than ourselves even with 

 great-coat and umbrella. In addition to this ar- 

 rangement, it was necessary to place the feathers 

 in such a manner as that the action of the wind from 

 the front should tend to smooth them down, while, 

 if the wind were blowing from behind it, should 

 have a tendency to raise their points. Such an 

 arrangement is beautifully displayed when we 

 come to examine minutely the disposing of the 

 feathers in any bird much in the air. The breast, 

 shoulders, and front edges of the wings exhibit 

 the most beautiful adaptation of their feathery 

 clothing to the flight of the bird, the feathers 

 being so placed that it is next to impossible for the 

 wind to disturb them, take them as it may. Ad- 

 mirably do these various arrangements fit the bird 

 for winging its way with the rapidity of thought 

 through the invisible air. 



In the ostrich, emu, apteryx, and some other 

 land birds which have not the power of flight, no 



