FEATHERS OF BIRDS. 505 



that afterwards form the feathers, of which this 

 down, serving the purpose of a first garment, hastily 

 spread over the young bird, is but the precursor ; 

 for the tufts generally soon fall off and disappear, 

 except in the rapacious tribes, as the Eagle and the 

 Vulture, where they remain attached to the feathers 

 for a considerable time. 



While this temporary protection is given to the 

 integument, extensive preparations are making 

 underneath for furnishing a more effective raiment, 

 adapted to the future wants of the bird. The 

 apparatus by which the feathers are to be formed 

 is gradually constructing ; and its rudiments are 

 receiving the necessary supply of nutrient juices, 

 and of vessels for their circulation, together with 

 their usual complement of nerves and absorbents. 

 When first visible, this organ has the form of a 

 very minute cone, attached by a filament proceed- 

 ing from its base to one of the papilla) of the skin, 

 and establishing its connexion with the living 

 system. In the course of a few days, this cone has 

 become elongated into a cylinder, with a pointed 

 extremity, while its base is united to the skin by a 

 more distinct bond of connexion, formed by the 

 enlarged vessels, which are supplying it with 

 nourishment. It is in the interior of this cylinder 

 that all the parts of the feather are constructed ; 

 their earliest rudiments being formed at the upper 

 part, or apex of this organ ; and the materials of 

 the several parts of the feather being successively 

 deposited and fashioned into their proper shapes in 

 different places : for while the first laminae are 

 constructing in one portion of the cylinder, the 

 next are only just beginning to be formed in 



