The Bird Itself 15 



The Lateral Cei-vical Space extends along each side of the neck 

 from a point in front of the middle of the neck back to a point oppo- 

 site the hmiieral tract. Occupying about one-sixth of the circum- 

 ference on each side, this space lies predominantly above the median 

 line. 



The Lateral Trunk Space includes all the several spaces around 

 the v^ings and legs. At the front it is continuous with the lateral 

 cervical space above the wing; farther back it separates the femoral 

 tract and the posterior part of the spinal tract, and then curves 

 medially in front of the upper tail coverts to meet its other lateral 

 half at the oil gland. It is covered by the feathers of the back part 

 of the spinal tract and on the sides by some of the femoral tract. It 

 is also connected with the inferior space by narrow bands extending 

 between the stenial-axillar and abdominal regions on the ventral 

 side. 



The Spinal Space is found along the median line of the spinal 

 tract from the middle of the interscapular region to a point opposite 

 the middle of the femoral tract. It is covered by the adjacent feath- 

 ers of the interscapular region. 



The Inferior Space lies between the two halves of the ventral tract 

 along the medio-ventral line, beginning on the neck just in front of 

 the ruff and extending back to within about fifteen millimeters of 

 the end of the sternum. It is covered by feathers of the lateral cervi- 

 cal, sternal and abdominal regions. 



The Upper Wing Space is the area distal to the humeral tract, 

 bounded by the marginal feathers of the shoulder, the secondary 

 coverts and the feathers on the posterior edge of the upper arm. It 

 is very irregular in shape and is covered by the marginal feathers of 

 the shoulder, the proximal lesser secondary coverts, and the distal 

 scapulars. 



The Lower Wing Space is continuous with the lateral space of the 

 trmik and extends to the underwing surface in-egularly to the base 

 of the first primary. It is mainly covered vdth the feathers anterior 

 to it but next to the body the adjacent body feathers cover it. 



The Crural Space separates the femoral tract from the lower leg 

 plumage. It is a very small naked ring on the outer surface of the 

 upper tibial region, continuous with the lateral trunk space. 



These spaces vary from being entirely bare to having a sparse 

 covering of plumulae. Their function is to facilitate movement or 



