THE TAIL 31 



The principal union of toes is through their connection by a 

 thin, movable membrane; this, whether small or large, is 

 called wehhing. In man}'' families of birds, the three front toes 

 have a distinct webbing at base only ; if this webbing does not 

 reach more than half way, the feet are semi pal mate''' In the 

 ducks, terns, etc., the front toes are webbed to the claws. This 

 plan, which is so common, is called pabnate.^'^ A few of our 

 birds have all four toes joined by a full webbing, and for this 

 arrangement the word totlpalmate^^ is used. Some birds with 

 more or less webbing at the base of the toes have, in addition, 

 a stiff, spreading membrane along the sides, sometimes lobed, 

 sometimes plain ; this plan is called lohato}'- In the sea ducks, 

 the front toes are palmate and the hind toes lobate ; ^^ in the 

 grebes, the front toes are lobate. Many of the snipes have a 

 narrow border along the edges of the toes, but not wide enough 

 to be called lobate ; these are said to be margined}* 



CHAPTER VI 

 THE TAIL 



Use. — The general office of the tail is to guide the bird in 

 flight, but it is also used for other purposes. The wood- 

 pecker climbs trees, and the chimney swift climbs and rests 

 on the sides of chimneys by its aid. 



Kinds of feathers. — The feathers of the tail, like those of 

 the wings, are of two sorts: quill-like feathers and coverts. The 

 true tail feathers, or rectrices, are stiff, pennaceous, Avell-devel- 

 oped feathers having a strong quill and a broad, spreading vane, 

 with rarely any plain aftershaft, or downy portion. The 

 inner side of the vane is wider than the outer. The number 



