Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-21
FEATHERS OF A BIRD.

Of feathers lightness we may form some
idea when we find that the largest quill of a
golden eagle weighs only sixty'6vegrains, 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 half Meant as they are,
some for covering and some for strength, we
shall find them, on examination, very differ
emily put. together. The light downy part,
when examined through a microscope, will be
found to bear little resemblance to the fiat
part or blade of the quill. If it were not so,
bird would scarcely beable to fly at all +;
for when the fiat of the wing was pressed
down, the air would pass through it, and yield
no resistance. The fbres of the downy part,
we see, have little connection with each other
they have short and loose side shoots, just
sufficient to mat them together when pressed
close to the skin whereas, the side shoots Of
the quill feathers hook and grapple with one
another, so as to make one firm and united
surface. But others there are, much stronger
and sitter than the wing quill feathers; as
those, for instance, forming the tail of the
wood d-pecker tribe. And the reason would be
evident to any person who watched wood
pecker on the stem of 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
hole with his beak, a tedious, if not imprac-
ticable operation, were it not for the wiry stiff
ness of the tail feathers, which press against a
tree and act like an additional limb. The
tail, however, has another use, applicable,
more or less to all birds; it is to them what a
rudder is to boat, and in many cases acts
like third wing. If we look at hawk how
ering in the air, when he remains in one spot
we shall see the tail spread out like fan, and
it is in constant state Of quivering motion,
balancing the bird, while the wings are keep.
ing it aAoat. 1t is clear that if water could
soak into the soft feathery covering Of 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 their feath
ers, entirely disable them from flying, and
they must remain in helpless state upon the
ground, either to perish from hunger, or be-
come the prey Of 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 sinking
in, runs of, without remaining an instant !;
and we all know that if we take up a duck,
or any swimming bird, we shall find, thoug b
it might have been diving just before, that it
is perfectly dry and free from all damp. But
this principle Of life, it may be so:ealled, in .
feather, ceases with the life of a bird for if
we were to throw dead duck into the water,
we should find that its coat had lost all power
of resisting water, and becomes spongy mass
of moisture The growth of feathers in
hot and favorable weather is very remarka-
BILE. 1t has been ascertained by attending to
nestlings, that in eight days after their ap.
pearing from the egg in a helpless, naked
state, they have acquired the first part of their
feathers