The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1885-03-11

their place. This does not happen to
the powder down which is never moult-
ed. This change is usually so gradual
that seldom does bird lose the power
OF flight. However, this does happen
to some of the ducks. This change,
though gradual, is yet so rapid that the
drain upon the delicate system OF the
birds is very evident. Then it is that
one. sees the robins and other familiar
birds skulking around the hedge rows
and fence corners, evidently in distress
and 10th to take wing at alarms which
at other times would occasion instant
flight. The very marked decrease of
song also plainly tells of the depressed
spirits of the birds This unwelcome
change of toilet falls as well on the
young of the year as upon the adults,
and one can hardly conceive of mole
woe begone specimen of bird life than is
presented by one of these awkward,
overgrown youngsters who for a second
time i'll the same year have to pass
through tortures to which the tooth cut
ting OF children probably bears little
comparison. As birds are the most
aesthetic of animals in their natural state,
not excepting man, is it not surprising
to find that they take great pride in their
beautiful feathers, and that this should
result in some marked changes at certain
periods? When the male bird goes forth
to seek for mate it is but natural that
he should desire to present the finest
possible appearance. This desire finds
embodiment in many curious append
ages such as wottles, variously colored
eXcreciences upon the body, etc., which
appear at this season and last but a
short time. These have their compile
ment in the crests and dorsal plumes of
the herons and egrets, the ruff Of the
European Ruff (mochetes pugnda), the
long tail feathers of the widow bird of
Natal, and others which appear just pre-
vious to the breeding season and are
shed previous to the general fall moult.
Their use in attracting the female must
be very great for they are of much dis
advantage to the bird in other ways, Sc
riously impeding its flight and by rem
dering it much more conspicuous it is
much more liable to fall a prey to other
birds. Many birds are of an entirely
different color during the winter than in
the summer. The most obvious mode
of effecting this change is at the annual
fall moult. To regain their summer
dress it is evident that there must be
second moult; this takes place in the
spring.
Primarily the object of feathers is to
furnish protection to the body. Birds
are the warmest blooded vertebrates and
very sensitively organized; yet in a few
seconds they change from the arctic cold
of immense attitudes to the burning
sands of the torrid deserts. Secondly,
feathers are for fight, and how we'll
they serve their purpose in this particu-
lar is apparent when one recollects that
a frightened duck will often fly mile in
thirty seconds; that an eagle will circle
from the earth until lost to sight with no
motion ofhis wings. Thirdly,
they are of use as a protection from
sight. The woodcock is almost absolute
ly invisible in its surroundings. Fourth
ly, they serve as limbs. The tail of the
swallow is a familiar example
also the creepers and woodpeckers.
The fifth use we may consider to be the
for the opposite sex. "-Roch-
ester Herald.