New book reviewed on NPR, Fresh Air
Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle by Thor Hanson
In an effort to better understand the composition of feathers, author Thor Hanson disassembled a wren bird, which he learned how to pluck from reading The Joy of Cooking. After hours of plucking, Hanson says, he learned how the feathers are arranged, how many different types of feathers the bird has and the magnitude of feathers on a bird. He writes about the process in his new book, Feathers, which looks at the evolutionary significance of feathers in birds.
There are several copies available at Marin County libraries. Place a hold on a copy yourself or call your local library to have a hold placed for you.