Feather by exposure to emulsifying agents due to human pollution. Feathers can then become waterlogged, causing the bird to sink. It is also very difficult to clean and rescue birds whose feathers have been fouled by oil spills. The feathers of cormorants soak up water and help to reduce buoyancy, thereby allowing the birds to swim submerged. Bristles are stiff, tapering feathers with a large rachis but few barbs. Rictal bristles are found around the eyes and bill. They may serve a similar purpose to eyelashes and vibrissae in mammals. Although there is as yet no clear evidence, it has been
Calamus caryotoides as follows: "The thin flexible trunks of this (and other) climbing palm made ideal building frames, or rope and string when split. The young shoots were eaten to cure headaches." Calamus caryotoides Calamus caryotoides (also "Palmijuncus caryotoides"), more commonly known as fishtail lawyer cane is a North-East Queensland tropical forest climbing palm with very thin () flexible trunks; no crownshaft; small spikes; dark green, glossy, fish-tail shaped leaves reaching up to high ( spread); and very thin hooked flagella. It tends to clump and grow up into the shaded understory of Queensland's wet tropical forests, and is a close relative