Feather These barbules have minute hooks called barbicels for cross-attachment. Down feathers are fluffy because they lack barbicels, so the barbules float free of each other, allowing the down to trap air and provide excellent thermal insulation. At the base of the feather, the rachis expands to form the hollow tubular "calamus" (or quill) which inserts into a follicle in the skin. The basal part of the calamus is without vanes. This part is embedded within the skin follicle and has an opening at the base (proximal umbilicus) and a small opening on the side (distal umbilicus). Hatchling birds of some
Calamus-Wheatland High School the result of a merger of the former Calamus and Wheatland school districts. Toronto had earlier been a separate school district, and was incorporated into Wheatland sometime in the early 1960s. Calamus-Wheatland sports teams are known as the Warriors; their uniforms display the school's colors of navy blue and silver. The school fields athletic teams in 12 sports, including: As the school does not have its own football or soccer programs, athletes wanting to play these sports participate in a cooperative program with Central DeWitt High School. The school also has a competitive dance team. Calamus-Wheatland is classified as a