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BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 



The Speculum. A term used to indicate a patch or band on the wing (usually of 

 different color from the rest of the feathers), formed by the terminal portion 

 of the secondaries, very noticeable in the Ducks. (See illustration, Topogi'aphy 

 of a Duck, page 8.) 



Under Primary ^Coverts 

 Ondor Wing Coverts 



Jarput — r _j 



Primaries 



y-'Amllars or Axiliary Plumes 



Under Surface of Wing. 



The Axillary Plumes, or Axillars, are an important aid in the identification of 

 many species ; these are several rather elongated feathers growing fi'om the arm- 

 pit [axilla), at the junction of the wing and body. 



THE TAIL. 



The Rectices, or Tail Feathers, proper, number from 8 to 24, and in some very few 

 cases even more. By far the greater number of birds, however, have 12 rectices. 



Truncate or square tail 



Pointed or cuneate tail Forked tail 



Oraduated tail 



The small feathers overlapping the rectices are cnlled upper tail coverts, while 

 those below are the under tail coverts or crissum. (For illustration of tail 

 coverts and crissum, see Topography of a Bird.) 



