Flat keratinous structures found on the skin surface of birds. Feathers are made partly of a hollow shaft fringed with barbs. They constitute the plumage.
    

concept

A New Holland cassowary and two enlarged feathers. Etching by P. Mazell after Lt. Watts.

A man of an Amazonian tribe, holding a spear and wearing a feathered head-dress, in a photographic studio.

A worker preparing a feather for use as a plume by scraping and curling, above; further preparation of a plume, two hats with plumes and a single plume, below. Engraving by R. Bénard after Radel.

A fashionable young lady with large plume in her hat being carried through the town in a sedan chair. Etching, c. 1796.

Music being played to a lady, while above an angel blows a trumpet into Jerome's ear; representing the sense of hearing. Engraving after G. Collaert, 1630, after N. van der Horst.

A bittern and one of its feathers. Etching.

A flock of ostriches on a farm in South Africa. Photogravure, c.1900.

The Hospital of Bethlem [Bedlam], St. George's Fields, Lambeth: a female dormitory. Wood engraving by F. Vizetelly after F. Palmer, 1860.

A falcon or kestrel and one of its tail feathers. Etching by Eliza D.

Feathers : the evolution of a natural miracle / Thor Hanson.

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Feathers

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A bittern and one of its feathers. Etching.

A flock of ostriches on a farm in South Africa. Photogravure, c.1900.

The Hospital of Bethlem [Bedlam], St. George's Fields, Lambeth: a female dormitory. Wood engraving by F. Vizetelly after F. Palmer, 1860.

A falcon or kestrel and one of its tail feathers. Etching by Eliza D.

Feathers : the evolution of a natural miracle / Thor Hanson.