426 HOW FEATHERS TURN WATER. 



matters of every kind, makes the following observations 

 on this subject : 



" The imperviousness to wet of the plumage of the waterfowl 

 is evidently not caused by any power the birds have of sup- 

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

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

 ation, I am convinced that it is the manner in which the 

 feathers are placed, which causes the water to run off them 

 as it does. As long as a wild duck of any kind is alive, 

 the skin remains perfectly dry, though in water, but the 

 moment a waterfowl is dead, the water penetrates through 

 the feathers, wetting him completely. If a wing is broken, 

 the feathers of that wing immediately become soaked, the 

 bird not having the power of keeping them in the proper 

 position to resist the entry of water. We know that birds 

 are able to elevate, depress, and move their feathers in every 

 direction, by a muscular contraction of the skin. When this 

 ceases the water enters." * 



We can come to no other conclusion than that Mr. 

 St. John is right in these opinions: the fact that water 

 does enter the plumage of dead birds, every man can 

 easily ascertain for himself: and it is not easy to see 

 how this could be explained in any other way than 

 that suggested by Mr. St. John. Here we may remark, 

 that in boat shooting, where dead and wounded birds 

 have to be lifted out of the water as the boat passes 

 by, a landing net should be taken, as Colonel Hawker 

 wisely advises for this purpose. 



In closing this section of our work, as wildfowl 

 shooting frequently necessitates great exposure to the 

 weather, perhaps it \vill not be deemed out of place if 



* Natural History and Sport in Norway, and of Wild Sport in the 

 Highlands (of Scotland), by Charles St. John, reprint of 1882, pp. 63 

 and 64. (N.B. The author lived 1809 to 1856). 



