80 THE FEATHERS. 



reason would be evident to any person who watched 

 a Woodpecker on the stem of a tree feeding. Its 

 food consists of grubs, usually concealed in the wood. 

 In order to get them, he must therefore remain 

 fixed on the bark, and make a hole with his beak, a 

 tedious, if not an impracticable operation, were it not 

 for the wiry stiffness of the tail-feathers, which 

 press against the tree, and act like an additional 

 limb. The tail, however, has another use, appli- 

 cable more or less to all birds ; it is to them, what a 

 rudder is to a boat, and in many cases acts like a 

 third wing. If we look at a Hawk hovering in the 

 air, when he remains in one spot, we shall see that 

 the tail is spread out like a fan, and is in a constant 

 state of 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 considerably, 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 a 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 con- 

 stantly renewed; so that the rain, instead of 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 



