of the number of Secondaries in Birds. 287 



] 7 secondaries, the last four of which are each decidedly 

 ■wider and longer than the one preceding it. 

 Sundevall says that it has — 



15 secondaries, nearly alike in structure and size; 



2 which, without being abbreviated, possess a decidedly 



different form ; 



3 decidedly shorter. 



In this case we agree as to the number of unabbreviated 

 secondaries, though we differ as to the point where the change 

 of shape begins. 



The Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula, possesses — 

 10 primaries ; 



13 secondaries, the last of which is the longest, and is 

 followed by several abbreviated secondaries. 

 Sundevall says that it has — 



12 secondaries, nearly alike in structure and size ; 



4 decidedly shorter feathers. 



The Turnstone, Sti^epsilas inter pres, has — 

 10 primaries ; 

 9 secondaries with white bases ; 



3 elongated and coloured like the coverts, followed by 

 several abbreviated ones. 

 Sundevall agrees that there are 12 secondaries unabbre- 

 viated, though he divides them differently. 



So far we find some difficulty in explaining the figures 

 given by the Swedish naturalist, but we have arrived at the 

 conclusion that the number of unabbreviated secondaries in 

 Limicolse varies from 12 to 17. I have examined a con- 

 siderable number of species, and have not yet met with an 

 exception to this rule. 



Passing on to the Grallse, I find the Water Rail, Rallus 

 aquaticus, to have a vring constructed as follows : — 

 10 primaries. 

 9 unabbreviated secondaries, of which the last is 

 coloured like the succeeding abbreviated ones, the 

 last but one (the 8th) being slightly intermediate. 

 The wing of the Corn Crake, Crex pratensis, is formed on 

 precisely the same model; nevertheless Sundevall, though he 



