78 
THE FEATHERS* 
large patch of the same colour, which, as it ap- 
proaches the breast, divides and forms a stripe on 
each side. The chin and breast appear to be of an 
intense velvety black, but when held in certain 
lights, become glossed with the most beautiful re- 
flections of lilac and purple. The feathers on the 
body are yet more changeable ; in some directions, 
they seem entirely black ; in others, this apparent 
black is mingled with a rich olive green ; while, in 
another position, it is brilliantly reflected and re- 
lieved by shades of lilac, purple, and the most vivid 
green. All this gorgeous apparel, however, is con- 
fined to the males, the female being clothed in a 
homely and russet-brown attire, attracting little 
notice. 
Of a feather’s lightness, we may form some idea 
when we find that the largest quill of a Golden Eagle 
weighs only sixty-five grains, and that seven such 
quills do not weigh more than a copper penny-piece ; 
that the feathers of a common fowl, which weighs 
thirty-seven ounces, weigh only three ounces ; and 
that the entire plumage of an Owl weighs only one 
ounce and a half. Meant as they are, some for covers 
ing, and some for strength, we shall find them, on 
examination, very differently put together. The 
light downy part, when examined through a micro- 
scope, will be found to bear little resemblance to the 
flat part or blade of the quill. If it were not so, a 
bird would scarcely be able to fly at all ; for when 
the flat of the wing was pressed down, the air would 
pass through it and yield no resistance. The fibres 
of the downy part, we see, have little connexion 
with each other ; they have short and loose side 
