;70 



BIRDS 



perching. All of those 

 feathers that makeup 

 tlie general contour of 

 the Ijody and bear 

 the color pattern are 

 known as the contour 

 feathers. The}' pro- 

 tect the body from 

 cold, rain, etc. They 

 are efficient non-con- 

 ductors of heat and 

 letain the heat of 

 the body. I.^ying be- 

 neath and between 

 the contour feathers 

 are many small, soft, 

 loose feathers that are 

 known as the down 

 leathers. They also 

 serve admirably to 

 I'ctain the heat of the 

 l)ody. Finally, scat- 

 tered over the body, 

 but concealed by the 

 ( it her feathci-s are cer- 

 tain hairhkc bodies 

 known as the thread 

 leathers. It is these 

 thai are left on a fowl 

 after it is picked and 

 llia,t are removed bv 



c, van(^ti 



