The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-12-02
The 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-five grains, and that seven such
quilts do not weigh more than copper
penny-piece; that the feathers of COM
mon 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 covering
and some for strength, we shall find
them, on examination, to be very differ
emily put together. The light downy
part, when examined through a micro
scope, will be found to bear little re-
semblance to the fiat part or blade of
the quill. If it were not so bird would
scarcely be able to fly at ALL for when
the fat of the wing was pressed down
the air would pass through it and yield
no resistance. The fibers 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
feather 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 tails
of the woOdpecker tribe. And the reason
would be evident to any person who
watched woodpecker on the stem of a
tree feeding. Its food consists of grubS,
usually concealed in the wood. In or
der to get them he must therefore re-
main fixed on the bark and make hole
with his beak, a tedious, if not imprac-
ticable operation, were it not for the
very stiffness of the tail feathers, which
press against a tree and act like an adj
ditional 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 a
third wing. If we look at hawk how
ering in the air, when he remains in one
spot we shall see that the tail is spread
out like fan, and it is in constant
state of quivering motion, balancing the
bird, while the wings are keeping it
afloat.
1t 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 in
crease their weight considerably and,
at the same time. by destroying the fine
elastic nature of their feathers, entirely
disable them from flying, and they must
remain in a helpless state upon the
ground, either to perish from hunger or
become the 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 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, 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 feather, ceases
with the life of 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
spongy mass of moisture.
The growth of feathers in young birds
in hot and favorable weather is very re-
markable. 1t 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
the first part of their feathers. StaR-
ley'S History Of Birds.