PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY 



So the repair of the engine, or molt of the 

 wings, continues. First a pair of quills from 

 the outer half, then a pair from the inner. The 

 process is slow, for it waits on the growth of 

 the new feathers. But it never robs the engine 

 of its power. At no time is there more than a 

 pair of feathers missing from both wings. The 

 wing is therefore always balanced and the bird 

 can fly during the entire molt. 



The molt does more than repair the engine. 

 It may also disguise the bird traveler so that he 

 can journey more safely. I say "he" because if 

 a disguise is used at all, it is worn only by the 

 male. 



The brilliant male Scarlet Tanager replaces 

 his fiery red body feathers with others of olive- 

 green, like those of his mate, his wings and tail 

 remaining black. 



The Bobolink, as we shall see beyond, changes 

 his costume of black, white and buff for an in- 

 conspicuous suit like that of his wife. Many 

 other birds follow this custom. Why should 

 they expose themselves to danger by wearing 



