GLOSSARY. 



Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily 

 and clearly understood by examining the illustrations of "bird topo- 

 graphy," on page 12, than from a written description; a few, however, 

 may require a word of explanation. 



Culmen. — The ridge of the upper mandible. 



Cere. — A hard skin-like covering on the base of the upper man- 

 dible (Parrots, Hawks, etc.). 



Mandibles. — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half 

 of the bill, and mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe 

 the two halves of the bill as upper and lower mandible. 



Gonys. — Bend of under mandible, usually used to include the 

 outline of under mandible from angle to the tip. 



Unguis. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible; very pro- 

 nounced in several families of water birds (Ducks, Pelicans, and 

 Petrels ) . 



Axillars or Axillary Plumes. — Several elongated feathers at the 

 junction of the wing and body. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit. ) 



Carpus or Carpal Joint. — Bend of the wing. The third segment 

 of the wing, corresponding to the wrist (see illustration ) . 



Speculum. — A wing band or patch (usually of a different color 

 from the rest of the wing), formed by the terminal portion of the 

 secondaries; very noticeable in the Ducks. 



Tarsus. — Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the 

 tibia (what appears to be the bend of the leg or knee; but which is, 

 in reality, the heel joint). See illustration. 



Toes Syndactyle. — Outer and middle toes more or less joined to- 

 gether (Kingfisher, etc.). 



Toes Zygodactyle. — Arranged in pairs, two in front, two behind 

 (Cuckoos, etc. ). 



Tarsus Reticulate. — Covered with numerous small, uneven scales, 

 usually more or less rounded (Plovers, Geese, etc. ). 



Tarsus Scutellate. — Comparatively large, somewhat square-cut 

 scales, one above the other, covering the front of the tarsus. 



