THE PIGEON 165 



ture which projects from the trunk. The distal division of the 

 leg is composed of a vertical shaft and four toes. The shaft is 

 the lower end of the drumstick and is formed by a fusion of the 

 tarsal and metatarsal bones, and hence is equivalent to the ankle 

 and foot. The toe directed backward is the first ; the second toe 

 is the inner one of the three directed forward. Observe the ar- 

 rangement of the feathers and the scales upon the leg and toes ; 

 observe the number of joints in each toe. 



Exercise 2. Draw an outline of a side view of the animal with the 

 wings closed, not putting in the separate feathers. Label all the 

 parts carefully. 



Exercise 2, Draw a dorsal view of the head. 



Exercise 3. Extend one of the wings and draw its dorsal surface, 

 showing the various groups of feathers. 



Thoroughly pick the pigeon. This is done much more easily 

 and quickly if the bird is first dipped in hot water. The picking 

 had better be done in an opened towel, to prevent the feathers 

 from getting scattered. 



Observe carefully the delicacy of the skin. Note the filo- 

 plumes, or pinfeathers. Observe also the shape of the body, the 

 length of the neck, the large size of the pectoral muscles, and 

 the form of the tail. Observe between the anterior ends of the 

 pectoral muscles the V-shaped depression in which the crop lies ; 

 on each side of it one arm of the wishbone may be felt. Find 

 the pore of the uropygial gland and squeeze oil out of it. 



Note the three divisions of the wing. In the distal division find 

 the three digits, — the short, movable thumb which supports theala 

 spuria, and the second and third digits, which are grown together. 

 Note the alar membrane, which lies in the angle between the upper 

 arm and the forearm. Note the three divisions of the leg. 1 



!If it is intended to inject the blood vessels, it must be done now. This is 

 best performed by means of a fine cannula, through the brachial artery and the 

 brachial vein, which will be seen on the inner surface of the wing, the vein 

 being the larger of the two. The femoral artery and vein may also be easily 

 injected; they will be seen in the leg upon separating the muscles. The circulatory 

 system can, however, with the exception of the smaller vessels, be easily studied 

 without the aid of injection. 



