On a zoological expedition the author collected bird specimens which were immersed for a short time in a mixture of alcohol and glycerine or formaldehyde and glycerine. The article gives a short survey of the color origin and structure of the birds feathers. It is, as well, a comparison of the color stability of the unpreserved versus the preserved feathers. But skins preserved in this way lend themselves better to the needs of a museum than dried skins do. The prepared birds were slowly dried in a freezer in order to prevent shrinking brought about by too rapid drying. With illustrations. -- AATA