THE FEATHERS. 



quivering motion, balancing the bird, while the wings are 

 keeping it afloat. 



It is clear, that if water could soak into the soft feathery 

 covering of a bird, every shower of rain would be the death 

 of thousands, inasmuch as it would increase their weight con- 

 siderably, and at the same time, by destroying the fine elastic 

 nature of the feathers, entirely disable them from flying, and 

 they must remain in a helpless state upon the ground, either 

 to perish from hunger, or become the prey to men or animals, 

 who would catch them without trouble. But against such 

 a possibility they are guarded by an abundant oily covering, 

 which is constantly renewed ; so that the rain, instead of 



