It is something like rowing a boat.

This surface pushes against the air as the flat blade of an oar pushes against the water.
That is why these large stiff feathers are called the rowers.

When the Wise Men talk Latin among themselves, they say _remiges_, for 'remiges' means rowers." "But, Doctor," said Rap, who was looking sharply at the Sparrow's wing, "all the feathers are not like that.

Here are a lot of little ones, in rows on top of the wing in front, and more like them underneath, covering over the roots of the rowing feathers.

Have they any name ?" "Oh, yes! Everything you can see about a bird has its own name.