Contour feathers

Contour \Con*tour"\, n. [F. contour, fr. contourner to mark the
   outlines; con- + tourner to turn. See {Turn}.]
   1. The outline of a figure or body, or the line or lines
      representing such an outline; the line that bounds;
      periphery.
      [1913 Webster]

            Titian's coloring and contours.       --A. Drummond.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mil.) The outline of a horizontal section of the ground,
      or of works of fortification.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Contour feathers} (Zool.), those feathers that form the
      general covering of a bird.

   {Contour of ground} (Surv.), the outline of the surface of
      ground with respect to its undulation, etc.

   {Contour line} (Topographical Suv.), the line in which a
      horizontal plane intersects a portion of ground, or the
      corresponding line in a map or chart.
      [1913 Webster]