| Down Feathers |
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Down offers excellent thermal properties, and has good lofting characteristics. This means that the down traps small pockets of air efficiently. The small pockets of air provide the thermal barrier. Down has the added property that is can be packed into a very small space. When wet or compressed the thermal properties of the down are far diminished. In cold situations Sleep Mats provide the insulation from the ground for those in down sleeping bags. In the rain it is necessary to wear a Waterproof jacket to stop the down from getting wet. Down is collected in a variety of ways. Birds that provide the feathers may be used for other purposes, for example to provide Meat . Some birds are killed solely for their down, while some birds (particularly some Geese ) are periodically plucked of their breast feathers but otherwise left unharmed. Some birds line their nests with down, and such down can be harvested safely after the young leave the nest. Down feathers are also thought to bring good luck. EXTERNAL LINKS
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