ON THE ANATOMY OF BIRDS. 47 



are then in the best condition for such journics. But on 

 this subject, as well as on numerous others in Natural 

 History, we want a record of more observed facts relative 

 to Birds in their Natural State. 



The moulting season, however, of Wild Ducks, Wild 

 Geese, Teals, Widgeons, and other water fowl, seems to be, 

 by an act of parliament relative to these Birds, (10 G. 2, c. 

 32,) from June 1 to October 1 ; and, certainly, it appears 

 more natural and agreeable to the bird that its feathers 

 should be shed when the weather is warm than at any other 

 period. The time in which this process takes place may be, 

 and frequently is, considerably altered by art and do- 

 mestication. 



Birds are sometimes, during this natural process, very 

 much indisposed ; at least those in confinement are so. 

 The bird-catchers of London have a method of producing 

 an artificial moulting of Birds, by shutting them up in a 

 dark cage for a month, with little or no food, closely wrapt 

 up in woollen, allowing their dung to remain to increase 

 the heat. This process is called stopping. By it, 1 un- 

 derstand, many a suffering bird is destroyed ; but, it is said, 

 the song and plumage of those who survive are much im- 

 proved by the operation. Words are inadequate to desig- 

 nate the cruelty and folly of such practice. 



As connected with the feathers of Birds, it may also be 

 appropriate to observe here, that thej have a gland, or rather 

 two glands, united by one excretory duct, on the rump, 

 about which grows a small tuft of feathers somewhat like a 

 painter's pencil. In these glands is secreted a mucous oil, 

 which can be pressed out by the bill of the bird. Whenever 

 therefore the feathers are discomposed, the bird, turning its 

 head back v\ aid, catches hold of the glands with its bill, and 

 forces out the oil, with which it anoints the feathers, and 



