556 



WING. 



tinues to relate such accounts, only calculated to frighten children. Let 

 the bones of the wing- of a swan be examined, and compared with that 

 of the thigh of a man, or even of his arm, (for it is well known the 

 size and strength of muscles are in proportion to the size of the bone,) 

 and it will be evident, that it would be as impossible for a swan to break 

 a man's arm, as it would be to break his head with a reed. The 

 bone of a man's arm would bear a weight or pressure fifty times as 

 great as the bone of a swan's wing ; how then is the inferior in size and 

 strength to break the superior without at least being itself fractured ? 



The pectoral muscles of all birds are proportionably stronger than 

 the same muscles in the human frame, weight for weight ; but their 

 bones, on account of their necessary levity, are thin, tabular, and con- 

 sequently brittle, and ill calculated for partial concussion, though admi- 

 rably suited for general and equal pressure against the yielding atmos- 

 phere. It should also be recollected, that a bird is incapable of striking 

 with any degree of force while all his quill feathers are perfect, the 

 resistance of the air against such a surface being too great to allow of 

 its moving with sufficient velocity to inflict any sensible pain : to give 

 the greatest impetus, the feathers should be cut short, as in the game 

 cock trimmed for fighting, the power of whose wings is greatly aug- 

 mented by such a reduction of surface. 



When we have taken a swan by the wing, we felt no uneasiness for the 

 safety of our own arms, but greatly alarmed for fear, lest in the struggle, 

 we might break the wing of the swan ; and we are quite convinced that 

 the face alone need be guarded against the pinion of any such bird. 



To those who may have a menagerie or a decoy, or wish to preserve 

 the larger birds in confinement, it may be useful to know how to per- 

 form amputation upon that part of the wing of a bird, which will effec- 

 tually prevent its escape, in as expeditious a manner, and with as little 

 pain and risk as possible. 



The usual method is that of cutting off a portion of the wing by a 

 strong pair of scissors, or shears, and then, with a red-hot iron, searing 

 the part, in order to stop the effusion of blood. The operation thus 

 performed is tedious, painful, and not always attended with success ; 

 for as the principal artery contracts upon cutting the flesh, we have 

 seen the part grilled for ten minutes with a red-hot poker, without 

 closing the mouth of the artery, and the bird die in consequence of the 

 loss of blood. 



Supposing then, that only eight or nine of the greater quills are 

 wanted to be taken off, which is sufficient for the duck tribe, the place 

 for amputation is at i. For short-winged birds, such as the pheasant 

 and partridge, the operation is best performed at k, for these birds can 



