80 
THE FEATHERS. 
reason would be evident to any person who watched 
a Woodpecker on the stem of a tree feeding. Its 
food consists of grubs, usually concealed in the wood. 
In order to get them, he must therefore remain 
fixed on the bark, and make a hole with his beak, a 
tedious, if not an impracticable operation, were it not 
for the wiry stiffness of the tail-feathers, which 
press against the tree, and act like an additional 
limb. The tail, however, has another use, appli- 
cable more or less to all birds ; it is to them, what a 
rudder is to a boat, and in many cases acts like a 
third wing. If we look at a Hawk hovering in the 
air, when he remains in one spot, we shall see that 
the tail is spread out like ia fan, and is in a constant 
state of 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 considerably, 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 a 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 con- 
stantly renewed ; so that the rain, instead of 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 be so called, in a 
