THE FEATHERS. 
67 
sinking in, runs off, without remaining an instant ; and we 
all know, that if we take up a Duck, or any swimming 
bird, we shall find, though it might have been diving just 
before, that it is perfectly dry, and free from all damp. But 
this principle of life, if it may he so called, in a feather, 
ceases with the life of a bird ; for if we were to throw a dead 
Duck into the water, we should find that its coat had lost 
all power of resisting water, and become a spongy mass 
of moisture. But besides this, some birds, certain Eagles, 
Hawks, Owls, and Herons, for instance, are furnished with 
a very fine dust or powder, which is supposed to be of use 
in preserving their plumage, though in what way is not at 
present exactly known. 
The growth of feathers in young birds in hot and favour- 
able weather is very remarkable. It has been ascertained 
by attending to nestlings, that in eight days after their 
appearing from the egg in a helpless, naked state, they have 
acquired a full coating of feathers, and are able to make some 
use of their wings. 
That feathers are essential to a bird in its wild and 
natural state there can he no doubt; hut they are not, it 
would seem, in all cases absolutely necessary, for a featherless, 
naked Canary-bird was once actually reared, and continued 
living in good health for upwards of three years. In this 
case, the featherless state of the bird was accidental ; hut the 
fact of a bird’s being able to exist without this, its natural 
clothing, is proved by a most cruel and barbarous custom, 
which cannot he too strongly reprobated, practised in some 
parts of England, where extensive flocks of Geese are bred 
and reared mainly for the value of their feathers. The season 
of sheep-shearing does not return more regularly than that 
of Geese-plucking. It is chiefly performed by women ; and 
of course the torture of the poor bird is greater in proportion 
to the want of skilfulness in the operator, those new to the 
employment often tearing and lacerating the skin in such a 
manner as to occasion the bird’s death. But even when 
performed with the utmost expertness, the poor birds pine 
for a considerable time afterwards, losing their flesh and 
F 2 
