12 
these being added by artificial feeding and care. Ostrich feathers are 
usually most lustrous when the plume is fully ripe; if allowed to remain 
longer on the bird they tend to become dull and worn in appearance, and 
the drabs and black become bronzed. Climatic conditions and elevation 
appear to have a considerable influence upon the lustre of the feather. 
Texture and lustre seem to be the characteristics combined under the 
trade term “ quality.” 
6. Shape—In addition to: size, which is dependent upon length and 
breadth, the actual shape or outline of a feather is a matter of much con- 
cern in the determination of its value. The following are the prin- 
cipal characters which are to be cons dered in this connection: —l. The 
equality of the two sides.— Although ostrich feathers are usually con- 
sidered to have the flue of equal width on the two sides, and as such have 
been used as symbolical of the equity of justice, marked differences be- 
tween the two halves are often apparent. Where the inequality 1s at all 
conspicuous the feather is depreciated im value thereby. Frequently if 
the flue is narrow on one side it is proportionately broad on the other, as 
if not divided equally in the course of its development. 2. Parallelism of 
the sides.—The margins of both sides should be as nearly as possible 
parallel throughout, not tapering for a great length towards each end. 
Some of the finest feathers show this parallelism to a marked degree, while 
in others the sides are inclined towards each other for a long distance at 
both ends, though more especially towards the quill end. The more nearly 
square is the flue at both ends, that is, the less tapering either way, the 
greater is its value. The inturning of the sides and bending over of the 
tip, though adding much to the beauty of a feather, are not of importance 
in the natural undressed feather, as in the process of manufacturing they 
can be easily produced from a flat feather. 3. Hqual length of Barbs.— 
In some feathers great differences occur in the length of the individual 
barbs. Some may be quite short and mingled with others which are long 
and tapering, thereby giving a straggling appearance to the sides of the 
feather as a whole. The barbs should be as nearly as possible of equal 
length, and blunt or truncate at the free end, not with the barbules taper- 
ing to a point. 4. Weighty tip.—The tip of some feathers is long and 
tapering, while in others it is blunt or truncate and the flue as a whole 
much denser, thereby giving a full, compact, heavy appearance which is 
much prized. 
7. The Shaft.—The central shaft or axle of the plume shows much 
variation of a desirable or undesirable nature from a trade point of view. 
It should be as narrow as possible, and yet strong and sufficiently flexible 
to permit of a graceful curve to the feather as a whole, more especially 
towards the tip. A thick shaft, whether dense or light, gives an undesir- 
able coarseness to a feather compared with one which is narrow yet strong 
and flexible. The axis in some plumes is nearly circular in section, while 
-others show a deep inner groove indicating where the two halves are fused ; 
the groove often harbours parasitic mites. 
The shaft forms a considerable proportion of the total weight of the 
feather, and, as farmer's feathers are sold by weight, it is manifest that a 
heavy or light shaft may make a great difference in the value of a pluck- 
“ing; the farmer, as seller, prefers a heavy shaft, while the buyer en- 
courages a light one, and thereby secures a larger number of feathers per 
pound. But in careful buying, the necessary allowance is made for a 
light or heavy axis. 
_ 8. Freedom from Bars.—The defects technically known as bars con- 
stitute a break in the regularity of the growth of the plume, and extend 
more or less completely across the flue. Their presence in a feather, if 
