Bird Study 



LESSON I 



29 



Feathers as Clothing 



Leading thought — Feathers grow from the skin of a bird and protect 

 the bird from rain, snow, wind and cold. Some of the feathers act as 

 cloaks or mackintoshes and others as underclothing. 



Method — The hen should be at close range for this lesson where the 

 children may observe how and where the different kinds of feathers grow. 

 The pupils should also study separately the form of a feather from the 

 back, from the breast, from the under side of the body, and a pin-feather. 



Observations for pupils — i. How are the feathers arranged on the 

 back of the hen? Are they like shingles on the roof ? If so, what for? 



2. How does a hen look when standing in the rain? 



3. How are the feathers arranged on the breast? 



4. Compare a feather from the back and one from the breast and 

 note the difference. 



5. Are both ends of these feathers alike? If not, what is the 

 difference? 



6. Is the fluffy part of the feather on the outside or next to the 

 bird's skin ? What is its use ? 



7. Why is the smooth part of the feather (the web) on the outside? 



8. Some feathers are all fluff and are called "down." At what age 

 was the fowl all covered with down ? 



9. What is a pin-feather? What makes you think so? 



10. How do hens keep their feathers oily and glossy so they will 

 shed water? 



11. Where does the hen get the oil? Describe how she oils her 

 feathers and which ones does she oil most? Does she oil her feathers 

 before a rain? 



'How beautiful your feathers be!" 

 The Redbird sang to the Tulip-tree 



New garbed in autumn gold. 

 'Alas!" the bending branches sighed, 

 "They cannot like your leaves abide 

 To keep us from the cold!" 



— John B. Tabb. 



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