711. 77/ A riEHlLOGRAPHy Ol THE RIFF ED GROUSE 



cath distal to the one it covers, the last or outeriiiust being \ery iiiueh reduied. The middle 

 primary coverts are attached near the inner ends of the flight feathers, those of the first two 

 being absent and the remaining ones all small. The lesser primary coverts consist of four or 

 five small feathers associated with the outer remiges. The small size of these middle and lesser 

 coverts is probably linked with the covering of this area by the alula feathers. 



The greater secondary coverts have their origin proximal to the secondaries, the number 

 of which they usually exceed by one. All have a distal overlap. The first nine are similar 

 in size, the tenth to the twelfth are larger, but from the twelfth on they again decrease. The 

 middle secondary coverts are not distinguishable from the lesser coverts except by their ori- 

 gin. Usually they are two less than the number of greater coverts, with the deficiency at 

 the inner end. The lesser coverts of the upper surface of the wing may be divided into two 

 groups, a set of three rows which functionally belong to the secondary covert series and a 

 number of other rows further forward which simply serve to cover that area of the skin and 

 are included in the term lesser coverts for lack of a better term. 



The marginal coverts are short, stiff feathers attached to the forward edge of the wing. In 

 the region of the hand their counterparts are tlie carpo-metacarpal coverts. 



On the under side of the wing none of the coverts are as large as their counterparts on 

 the upper side. The greater primary coverts in this area are about equal in length except 

 for the outer five which gradually decrease. The single middle covert is associated with the 

 first primary. The under lesser coverts are situated in a single curved row. 



The greater secondary coverts on the under surface lie proximal to the bases of the sec- 

 ondaries and cover their bases. They are longer in the region of the elbow. The under 

 middle secondary coverts are reduced in the ruffed grouse to the extent that they are not 

 exposed but covered by the first row of lesser coverts. Associated with this is the fact that 

 they are not pigmented except at the tips. The lesser coverts, like those of the upper surface, 

 are of two groups. The rear group consists of two rows closely associated with a third and 

 separated from the other by a space. Among the inner lesser coverts are the large axillary 

 feathers. 



On the under side of the wing an interesting condition exists in the greater and middle 

 coverts of both the primaries and secondaries. These feathers are inverted, with the surface 

 of the feather, normally lying against the skin, here exposed. This is evidenced by the greater 

 amount of pigment on the hidden surface and the presence of the aflersliaft on the ex|)osed 

 surface. Similarly, they curve outward instead of inward. Thus, the morphological dividing 

 line between the upper and lower surface of the wing is between the middle and lesser coverts 

 of the under side. 



The carpal remex is a greatly reduced (light feather of the wrist which has apparently 

 been crowded out in the bending of the wing. It measures onlv aliout an inch in length and 

 is generally weak. An upper and lower covert, similarly reduced, arc also present. 



The alula or bastard wing carries four large feathers and a number of coverts. The large 

 series tapers abruptly with the largest outer one reaching to the tips of the greater primary 

 coverts. The alula coverts are continuous with and resemble the marginal coverts and the 

 carpo-metacarpal coxcrts. 



Ffmoral. This is very well dcvelo|)ed in the ruffed grouse, extending oxer most of the 

 lateral surface of the thigh. Its general shajie is triangular with the apex at the anterior 

 end. From this point the rows radiate posteriorly while several additional rows occur in 



