THE FEATHERS. 67 



sinking in, runs off, without remaining an instant ; and we 

 all know, that if we take up a Duck, or any swimming 

 bird, we shall find, though it might have been diving just 

 before, that it is perfectly dry, and free from all damp. But 

 this principle of life, if it may be so called, in a feather, 

 ceases with the life of a bird ; for if we were to throw a dead 

 Duck into the water, we should find that its coat had lost 

 all power of resisting water, and become a spongy mass 

 of moisture. But besides this, some birds, certain Eagles, 

 Hawks, Owls, and Herons, for instance, are furnished with 

 a very fine dust or powder, which is supposed to be of use 

 in preserving their plumage, though in what way is not at 

 present exactly known. 



The growth of feathers in young birds in hot and favour- 

 able weather is very remarkable. It has been ascertained 

 by attending to nestlings, that in eight days after their 

 appearing from the egg in a helpless, naked state, they have 

 acquired a full coating of feathers, and are able to make some 

 use of their wings. 



That feathers are essential to a bird in its wild and 

 natural state there can be no doubt ; but they are not, it 

 would seem, in all cases absolutely necessary, for a featherless, 

 naked Canary-bird was once actually reared, and continued 

 living in good health for upwards of three years. In this 

 case, the featherless state of the bird was accidental ; but the 

 fact of a bird's being able to exist without this, its natural 

 clothing, is proved by a most cruel and barbarous custom, 

 which cannot be too strongly reprobated, practised in some 

 parts of England, where extensive flocks of Geese are bred 

 and reared mainly for the value of their feathers. The season 

 of sheep-shearing does not return more regularly than that 

 of Geese-plucking. It is chiefly performed by women ; and 

 of course the torture of the poor bird is greater in proportion 

 to the want of skilfulness in the operator, those new to the 

 employment often tearing and lacerating the skin in such a 

 manner as to occasion the bird's death. But even when 

 performed with the utmost expertness, the poor birds pine 

 for a considerable time afterwards, losing their flesh and 



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