Chuck, You've just entered the wonderful world of feather genetics. I've answered your questions briefly below:
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Alexander" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Don: Thanks for the info.. Really made me study the feathers for the first > time in my life.. The feathers are very interesting... I mean, all that > difference, just for the ability to make flight right??? The ability for flight goes way beyond feathers. But yes, the wing feathers are designed for flight (on flighted birds). But it's not the difference only that counts. It's the partnership between adjoining feathers that create the multitude of duties needed for flight. > One question about feathers I do have is this.. Feathers > float because of an oily film secreted through the quill right??? Feathers are coated with oil from a preening gland at the base of the tail. The feathers around this gland are called CDC feathers, and they float very well. The bird uses his beak to transfer this oil to the feathers and work it through them. This allows the bird to control how much oil his feathers get, rather than an auto-oiling, like our skin. > Once a > feather is picked off, or falls off a bird... I take that it loses this > quality??? I mean, it will still float for a while, but that oil source is > gone with the birds skin or glands right????? Just wondering about that... Feathers are very difficult for most critters to digest. Moths and other worm-like 'bugs' can make short work of them, though. As they weather in the sun, they dry out and get brittle, I would guess from UV rays. I have a feather display that has been in the light, but not direct sunlight, for 20 years without damage. Put them in direct sunlight, and they bleach out and turn brittle (w/some exceptions). Moisture helps them to rot, as bacteria will come into play. Otherwise, they're pretty durable. As far as dry flies go, the oil in the feathers does not make it through the washing, (dying?) and cleaning processes. There is some skin oil that can get on the feathers, but it is body fat, not preening oil. And not all birds float, even though they are preened with oil. Waterfowl need this preening oil to float. Something for you to contemplate. All feathers grow from the follicle, fully formed. Feathers do not grow from the tips. Yet the markings on adjacent feathers are different, yet they join together - even overlapping - to form a congruous design. For example look at the markings on a mallard- the wing and the neck ring. A molted feather will be replaced by an identical feather. That's akin to adjoining trees growing just the right branches that together with the other trees form a beautiful design. Also, many types of feathers grow from the same follicle over the life of the bird. A chick has down, then a sub-adult has 'youngster' feathers, then adult feathers come in. Then, on top of that, some birds change color every season (like ptarmigans). Feathers cannot heal themselves, since they are formed in the follicle. They must be molted. Enough food for thought now? DonO > Anyway, thanks for the help... I'd have never thought there was soooo much, > to four little feathers laying on the ground, and, as it turns out.. They > are two left sides, and two right sides, so that will help me as well > right???? ?? Mated pairs of dry fly wings?? Thanks, Chuck
