BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 



The Speculum. A term used to indicate a patch or band on the wing (usually of 

 different color from the rest of the feathers), formed by the terminal portion 

 of the secondaries, very noticeable in the Ducks. (See illustration, Topography 

 of a Duck, page 8.) 



Under Primary Covert* 

 Qndar Winy Corerls 



Carp"* T - 



Primaries 



AxiUanor Axillary Plvmte 



Under Surface of "Wing. 



The Axillary Plumes, or Axillars, are an important aid in the identification of 

 many species; these are several rather elongated feathers growing from the arm- 

 pit (<i.i-ilhi), at the junction of the wing and body. 



THE TAIL. 



The Rectrices, or Tail Feathers, proper, number from .s to ;M. and in some very few 

 eases even more. By far the greater number of birds, however, have 12 rectriei -. 



Pointed or cuneate tint 

 Graduated tnil 



The small feathers overlapping the rectricesare called upper tail coverts, while 

 those below are the under tail coverts or crissum. (For illustration of tail 



coverts and crisHiim, see Topography of a Bird.) 



