Plumage of the Canary. 75 



admit of a folding of the wing between them and the primaries, when the wing is closed. When 

 the wing is open they sometimes appear a combination of the same curve with the primaries, 

 ' as is the case in the wing of the Canary,' and at other times they form a distinct curve of their 

 own. And the tcrtiaries, or third quills of the wing, arising chiefly from the same bones as the 

 secondaries, but nearer to the elbow-joint." 



" From the manner in which the several coverts support each other, and the quills, the wing is 

 a finer combination of lightness, strength, elasticity, and stiffness than could be produced by any 

 other means. These coverts support and admit of motion upon each other, not unlike that which 

 takes place in a coach-spring." 



Continuing the description of the remaining portion of the feathers, we have the " Rjimp- 

 feathers and upper tail-coverts, the first being a continuation of the covering of the back, and the 

 second the support of the tail-feathers on the upper side, being strong in proportion as the tail- 

 feathers are adapted for action in flying ; the vent-feathers and under tail-coverts, which cover the 

 hinder part of the bird ; and lastly the tail-feathers, which require no reference." 



" The other feathers are to be considered rather as the clothing of the bird than as active 

 instruments in its flight. These ordinary feathers are imbricated — that is, placed one over the 

 edges of two — as slates are in covering a roof. The lines in which the several rows of feathers are 

 placed form very curious curves, and their shafts diverge or converge so naturally, and with such 

 perfect agreement, to the surface they cover, that no line of separation can be traced." 



We have given these definitions and interesting descriptions in full, and would strongly advise 

 the fancier, who has not already done so, to familiarise himself with them, and, by comparing them 

 with the features presented by his own specimens, verify their accuracy ; feeling satisfied that the 

 little scrap of knowledge thus gained will prove of service by-and-by, and enable him to follow 

 closely descriptions in which the use of recognised nomenclature may be adopted. Our book 

 is essentially homely, and we have no intention of taking a very scientific view of any question, 

 but it is as well to call things by their right names, and to know what is meant when we use 

 them. 



We have already briefly pointed out at the commencement of this chapter that no special 

 treatment is necessary in general moulting. It is a provision of Nature ; and though instances will 

 occur in every breeding-room in which the functions are impeded, and the operation retarded and 

 sometimes altogether checked, yet these cases are not frequent enough to justify us in characterising 

 the moult as being such a critical period in a bird's history as to cause any serious apprehension as 

 to the result. Birds previously healthy will, it is true, sometimes die at this time, but the per- 

 centage of deaths is very small ; and although the moulting season may claim a few victims, and 

 may be, in the case of ailing birds, the last straw which breaks the camel's back, we do not think 

 that the number of deaths in previously healthy subjects is greater than those which can be directly 

 traced to other causes. Personally, we never experienced the least difficulty in carrying our birds 

 through this period of their lives ; and we are of opinion that the idea of deaths is about the last 

 which enters the mind of the experienced breeder when he finds it time to take his young stock in 

 hand. Beyond doubt there must be a strain on the system to produce the plumage, but it is all 

 perfectly in obedience to settled laws, and Nature does not call on the bird for the efibrt without 

 furnishing the munitions of war in abundant supply, and doing her best to maintain the healthy 

 conditions necessary for the successful carrying out of the work. It is sometimes spoken of as the 

 moulting "sickness," but we think the term misapplied; for the disposition to incubate and 

 perform other duties is just as much a sickness, inasmuch as the bird requires to be in an abnormal 

 state of body at the time. By sickness, we usually understand a disarrangement of certain 



