FEATHER ARMOUR. 125 



regular order. Not only is the plumage rendered water-tight, 

 but it is able to resist a severe blow. This is well known by 

 sportsmen, who do not fire at ducks or geese while they are 

 approaching, knowing that their shot would only glide harm- 

 lessly from the feather-mail of the bird. 



They wait until the birds have passed, and then find no 

 difficulty in killing them, the shot penetrating under the 

 feathers just as did the dagger under the scales of the manis. 

 Even the diminutive puffin, or sea-parrot, as it is sometimes 

 called, cares little for shot while it is sitting on the rocks with 

 closed wings and feathers pressed together. When, however, 

 it takes to flight, it can be killed without difficulty. 



Perhaps some of my readers may be aware that the ancient 

 Mexican warriors wore armour made of feathers, which I pre- 

 sume must have been arranged much after the fashion of those 

 of a duck's breast. 



This remarkable Feather-mail is mentioned by Southey in his 



poem, " Madoc in Aztlan." In canto xviii. is recounted the 



single combat between Madoc and Coanocotsin, the King of 



Aztlan. The contrasting armour and weapons of each are 



graphically described, and especial mention is made of the 



cuirass : — 



" Over the breast, 

 And o'er the golden breastplate of the King, 

 A feathery cuirass, beautiful to eye, 

 Light as the robe of peace, yet strong to save ; 

 For the sharp faulchion's baffled edge would glide 

 From its smooth softness." 



Then, in the course of the combat, when the King has been 

 grappled in Madoc' s arms and forced to drop his buckler and 

 club, the narrative proceeds : — 



" Which when the Prince beheld, 

 He thrust him off, and drawing back, resumed 

 The sword that from his wrist suspended hung, 

 And twice he smote the King. Twice from the quilt 

 Of plumes the iron glides." 



If such armour could in truth resist the weapons which have 

 been discovered, it must have been a wonderfully strong gar- 

 ment, for the Mexican swords, though made of wood, are edged 

 with flakes of obsidian, which cuts like a razor. I have a 

 number of these flakes, which have evidently been intended for 

 the edges of a sword, but have not been used. 



