78 THE FEATHERS. 



large patch of the same colour, which, as it ap- 

 proaches the hreast, divides and forms a stripe on 

 each side. The chin and breast appear to be of an 

 intense velvety black, but when held in certain 

 lights, become glossed with the most beautiful re- 

 flections of lilac and purple. The feathers on the 

 body are yet more changeable; in some directions, 

 they seem entirely black; in others, this apparent 

 black is mingled with a rich olive green; while, in 

 another position, it is brilliantly reflected and re- 

 lieved by shades of lilac, purple, and the most vivid 

 green. All this gorgeous apparel, however, is con- 

 fined to, the males, the female being clothed in a 

 homely and russet-brown attire, attracting little 

 notice. 



Of a feather's lightness, we may form some idea 

 when we find that the largest quill of a Golden Eagle 

 weighs only sixty-five grains, and that seven such 

 quills do not weigh more than a copper penny-piece ; 

 that the feathers of a common fowl, which weighs . 

 thirty-seven ounces, weigh only three ounces; and 

 that the entire plumage of an Owl weighs only one 

 ounce and a half. Meant as they are, some for cover- 

 ing, and some for strength, we shall find them, on 

 examination, very differently put together. The 

 light downy part, when examined through a micro- 

 scope, will be found to bear little resemblance to the 

 flat part or blade of the quill. If it were not so, a 

 bird would scarcely be able to fly at all ; for when 

 the flat of the wing was pressed down, the air would 

 pass through it and yield no resistance. The fibres 

 of the downy part, we see, have little connexion 

 with each other; they have short and loose side 



