GLOSSARY. 



Nearly all the terms used in describiug a bird may be more easily and clearly 

 understood by examining tlie illustrations of " bird to[)ograi)liy," on pages viii and ix, 

 than from a written description ; a few, however, may require a word of explanation. 



Cere. — A liard skin-like covering on the base of the upper mandible (Parrots, 



Hawks, etc.). 

 Mandibles. — Some auth(7rs use the word maxilla for the upper half of the l)ill, and 



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



as upper and lower maiidil)le. 

 Culmen. — The ridge of the upper mandible. 

 Qonys. — Lower outline (middle) of under mandible. 

 Unguis. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced in several 



families of water birds (Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels). 

 Axiilars or Axillary Plumes. — Several elongated featliers at the junction of the 



wing and Ixxly. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit.) 

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



corresponding to tlie wrist (see illustration). 

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



lilt' wiug), formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries; very noticeable in 



the Ducks. 

 Tarsus. — Extends from tiie root of the toes to the end of the tibia (wliat appears to 



be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the heel joint). See illus- 

 tration . 

 Toes Syndactyle. — Outer and middle toes more or less joined together (King- 



lislicr, etc.). 

 Toes Zyffodactyle. — Arranged in pairs, two in front, two lu'hind (Cnckoos, etc.). 

 Tarsus Reticulate. — Covered witli numerous small, uneven sc:\lt's (Plovers, etc.). 

 Tarsus Scutellate, — Conipunitivi'ly large, somewluit S(iu:irc-iul scales, one abovi> 



the oUn'r, covering the front of the tarsus. 

 Booted Tarsus. — Scales fused togetiier on gr.'Mter portion of tarsus so as to be 



indistinct or invisible except on lower part ( Kobins, etc.). 

 Superciliary Stripe. — Stripe ovei' llie eye. 



ivii) 



