288 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. 



How poulterers the feelings rive, 

 By plucking many a fowl alive,* 

 You well might shudder while you hear! 

 How sordid wights will oft pretend 

 Our native songs to improve, extend ; — 



the rain descended that night in torrents, and the air was chilly; 

 in consequence of which the flocks, having been divested of 

 their natural protection, suffered so severely, that, on Westmoor 

 alone, from 1600 to 2000 geese were in the morning found dead ; 

 and a very considerable number besides are now so languid that 

 their recovery is doubtful." 



The plucking of geese for their feathers, even in the most 

 genial season, can scarcely be effected at anytime without the 

 production of considerable pain to the animal. A more humane 

 method would be, at a suitable season, to cut off the feathers 

 close to the skin with sharp scissors; by this method the quality 

 of the feathers would be much improved, and the trouble of 

 assorting and dressing the feathers after they are plucked would 

 be thus saved ; the down may be afterwards removed by the 

 same means. It is said that when the feathers are removed in 

 this way, the animal is rather benefited than injured by the 

 operation ; and that the stumps are thrown off as in natural 

 moulting, and a beautiful new crop of plumage quickly makes 

 its appearance. I am indebted for these hints to the communi- 

 cation of a lady in the Monthly Magazine, vol. lvi. page 424. 



* This is, I fear, too true, and too common a practice in the 

 metropolis. The reason assigned by a poulterer is that 

 " it does not tear the flesh" — that is, as the living is more 

 tenacious than the dead fibre, the exterior appearance of the 

 fowl after death is, to use a vulgarism, more sightly. When 

 will man cease to agonize the quivering fibres of animals for his 

 silly and luxurious gratification ? 



