440 HUMMING-BIRD 



its inner and outer condyle at the distal end with the radius and 

 ulna. Its crests, ridges and processes present so many obvious 

 modifications, characteristic of various groups, that its configuration 

 appears to be of considerable taxonomic value. Assuming it to be 

 in its natural position when the wing is folded, the glenoid surface 

 of its head is bordered above by the hihermlum superms (insertion 

 of the musculus supracoracoidus), and in the middle and below by. 

 the tuberculum inferius (insertion of muse, coraco-hrachialis posterior). 

 From the former extends the large crista superior (insertion of muse, 

 pectoralis major on its outward dorsal edge, and of muse, deltoides 

 major on its median surface). The ventral portion of the neck of 

 the Humerus is formed by the strong erista inferior, on the median 

 side of which, between the lower tubercle there is mostl}^ a deep 

 depression {fossa suhtrochanteriea) at the bottom of which air is 

 admitted to the bone (c/. AiR-SACKS, p. 4) bj^ means of a hole or 

 holes. Among Anseres and Striges there is a very large orifice ; in 

 Accipitres and Oiididx the foramina are so numerous as to be 

 cribriform ; but in the Sphenisci (Penguin), Colymhidse, Alcidx, 

 Laridse, many Tubinares and occasionally in Phoenicopterus (Flamingo) 

 foramina pneumatica are either very sniall or do not exist, while in 

 . Columbse and Gallinse, the depression is very shallow and the foramen 

 is almost on a plane surface. 



On the outer side of the Humerus, between the head and the 

 crista inferior, is a groove lodging one of the coraco - humeral 

 ligaments. This groove is very deep in Stegauopodes, Ardeidge, 

 Ciconiidse, Phoenicopterus, Ballidx, Laridx, Columhidx, Striges, Cypseli 

 and Parrots, but very shallow in Gh'uidse, Otididse, Tubinares, 

 Sphenisci, Caracias (Eoller), Buceros (Hornbill) and Capimulgus, 

 and scarcely marked in Gallinse, Anseres and Accipitres. Distally 

 the humerus ends in a trochlea, composed of a larger roundish 

 condyle for the articulation of the Ulna, and a smaller and more 

 elongated knob for that of the Kadius. A little above this knob 

 there is frequently present an ectepicondylar process, serving for 

 the origin of the tendons of some of the radial and ulnar flexors. 

 This process is best developed in Laridx, most Limicolx, Turniciden, 

 Tubinares, Passeres, Pici and Cypselidaz : it is small in Striges, most 

 Accipitres and Columbidx, and minute or absent in Pteroclidse, 

 (Edicnemus, Otis, Dicholophus, Gi'us, Uhinochetus, Eurypyga, Pallidse, 

 Tinamidse, Gallinse, Colymbidse, Podicipedidx, Alcidse, Sphenisci, Stegauo- 

 podes, Ardeidse, Ciconiidse, Phccnicopterus and Anseres. It is variable 

 in the Picari^e (see Skeleton). 



HUMMING-BIRD, a name in use for more than two centuries, 

 and possibly ever since English explorers first knew of the beautiful 

 little animals to which, from the sound occasionally made by the 

 rapid vibrations of their wings, it is applied. Among books that are 



