STRUCTURE OF BIRDS. 



81 



Scaptila)'s, a bunch or series of long feathers, situated at the 

 proximal extremity of the arm, apparently on the back. 



Accillary feathei^s^ a series of long straight feathers, situated 

 at the proximal extremity of the humerus, under the wing. 



Tibial feathers^ covering the tibia or leg. 



Tarsal^ covering the tarsus. 



Digital^ covering the toes. 



Caudal quills^ terminating the body behind. 



Caudal quill' cot erts^ upper and lower, feathers covering the 

 caudal quills at their base, above and beneath. 



Caudal feathers^ upper and lower, on the coccygeal region. 



I have judged it necessary to be thus minute on the subject 

 of the feathers, because they are of the utmost importance for 

 distinguishing the sj^ecies and genera, and because the plumage 

 affords one of the most beautiful illustrations of the divine 

 wisdom, the considerations connected with which will so 

 readily present themselves to any person who examines its 

 structure, that it is needless to indulge here in any remarks on 

 the subject. 



The ordinary terminology applied to the leaves of plants is 

 that which I adopt for distinguishing the forms of feathers. 

 Thus, 



Ovate^ having the outline of an egg. Fig. 21. 



Lanceolate^ tapering at both ends. Fig. 22. 



Lineal^ narrow, with the edges parallel. Fig. 23. 



Fig. 23. 



Abrupt^ cut even at the end. Fig. 24. 



Bounded, having the extremity broadly rounded. Fig. 25, 



Obtuse, narrowly rounded. Fig. 23. 



Acute^ sharp-pointed. 



Acuminate, with a long taper point. Fig. 22, 26, b. 



