238 OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



process of removing these feathers is called plucking, they are 

 not drawn out, but are cut close to the skin. The object is to 

 get the feather immediately after it is grown, before it can be 

 soiled or damaged in any way. At that time the quill is still 

 full of blood. Drawing it out would be very painful to the bird, 

 and might injure the wing so that the next feather that grew 

 would be defective. The stumps of the feathers are allowed to 

 remain until they are dead and dry, when they are drawn out 

 easily. In South Africa the Kafirs draw the stumps out with 

 their teeth. In about six or seven months after the stumps are 

 removed, the new plumes are grown and the process of plucking 

 is repeated. 



