on the Topography op a Bird. 161


the wings projecting nenrly an inch beyond the tip of the tail,

others had the tail projecting as much beyond the tip of the

wings. Few authors appear to take these measurements into

account when describing a bird.


After measurements should follow the enumeration of

the remiges, or flight feathers, counting first the number of

primaries, then of the secondaries. Their shape should next

be noted, and the relative length of the primaries. It is often

customary to express the relative lengths by what is known

as the wing formula, merely writing the number of the feathers

in order from the longest, the first primary being the outermost,

thus: 4-3-2-5-1-6-7-8.


In the normal wing there are eleven primaries, but the

number varies. In the Carinatse (i.e., all birds except the

Ostrich, Rhea, Cassowaries, Emus and Apteryx) there are never

more than twelve, and never fewer than nine. Only certain

Storks, and Grebes have twelve primaries. The length of the

innermost quill should be especially noted. Often it is reduced

so as to be with difficulty distinguished from its covert, than

which it is often smaller, as in the so-called nine-primaried

Passeres. When reduced to the size of, or less than its covert,

it is called a “ remicle."


In describing the secondary feathers the length of the

inner quills should be noted. They may be either conspicuously

short, or long. When very long, as in Wagtails and Pipits and

certain Ducks for example, they should be described as elongated

inner secondaries, not as tertiaries or tertials, as is so often done.

This is a gross error based on ignorance of the meaning of these

terms.


After the number of the quills or remiges has been counted,

and their shape described, the wing should next be examined to

see whether it is “ diastataxic ” or “eutaxic.” It is diastataxic

when the fifth pair of major coverts (Plate II) lack a quill

between them. When every pair of major coverts embraces

a quill between them the wing is said to be eutaxic.


The overlap of the covert feathers of the wing, and the

number of rows of minor coverts should, when possible, also be



