As far back as 30,000 years ago, our ancestors recorded their fascination with birds in cave drawings. In fact, feathers were the highest-value cargo carried on the ill-fated Titanic. In this wide-ranging study of our feathered friends, the author also looks at the many uses of feathers throughout history, from featherbeds and down quilts to arrows and pens, and as a fashion statement “in fans, dusters, boas, floral arrangements, and in the fringes of cloaks and shawls,” as well as women's hats. When a vulture feather accidentally dropped at his feet as he watched the birds fly overhead, field biologist and conservationist Hanson ( The Impenetrable Forest, 2000) felt called upon to choose feathers as the subject of his next book.
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