24 The Bird 



socket. This crrowth continuing;, the down is Hfted clear 

 of the skin, being supported on the new structure, and 



Fig. 12. — Early stages in the development of a down feather, showing close 

 resemblance to scale of fish or reptile. 



Fig. 12;;. — Later stages of Fig. 12. showing the first splitting up of the 



feather pulp. 



soon ])rushed off and lost. Thus, little by little, in 

 shreds and tatters, the bal)y plumage is shed and replaced 



