The DICT Development Group

  Plumage \Plum"age\ (pl[=u]m"[asl]j), n. [F., from plume a
     feather.] (Zool.)
     The entire clothing of a bird.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: It consist of the contour feathers, or the ordinary
           feathers covering the head, neck, and body; the tail
           feathers, with their upper and lower coverts; the wing
           feathers, including primaries, secondaries, and
           tertiaries, with their coverts; and the down which lies
           beneath the contour feathers. See Illust. under Bird.
           [1913 Webster]

  plumage
      n 1: the light horny waterproof structure forming the external
           covering of birds [syn: feather, plume, plumage]