260 



BRANCH CHORDATA 



The large feathers on the wing and tail are called quills; the 

 similar but smaller ones on the body, the contour or outline 

 feathers; those without barbs, down; and the hair-like ones, the 

 filoplumes or pin-feathers. These different kinds have various 



Fig. 211. — Dinor'nis gignnhiix, ^' .'j. (From a photograph of a skeleton in 

 Christehurch Museum, New Zealand.) 



uses. Can the student sec 1hc advantage to the bird of each 

 kind of feather? What use does man make of the different kinds 

 of feathers? 



"Since the feathers are not only for protection, but give to 

 most birds the powcT of prolonged flight, tlu^y predict a special 



