66 
THE FEATHERS. 
quivering motion, balancing the bird, while the wings are 
keeping it afloat. 
It is clear, that if water could soak into the soft feathery 
covering of a bird, every shower of rain would be the death 
of thousands, inasmuch as it would increase their weight con- 
siderably, and at the same time, by destroying the fine elastic 
nature of the feathers, entirely disable them from flying, and 
they must remain in a helpless state upon the ground, either 
to perish from hunger, or become the prey to men or animals, 
who would catch them without trouble. But against such 
a possibility they are guarded by an abundant oily covering, 
which is constantly renewed; so that the rain, instead of 
