608 MUSCULAR S VSTENL 
inserted on the patagium and the last cubital quills, the other 
splits off from the posterior portion of the latissimus dorsi and acts 
indirectly on the patagium by joining the m. anconzus longus. 
M. expansor secundariorum or of the cubital quills, arises as a long 
tendon from the sterno-scapular ligament, passes the axilla, often 
by a fibrous pulley, accompanies the axillary vessels and nerves 
along the humerus, and is inserted by a few fleshy fibres on the 
base of the last two or three cubital quills, It is, however, more 
complicated in many birds, especially Gallinw and Anseres; but 
it is scarcely of taxonomic value, being weak or absent in Columbe, 
absent in Spheniscidx, Tubinares, Steganopodes, some Herodii, Alcide, 
some Accipitres, in Striges, Psittaci, Cypselomorphex, Pict and Passeres. 
Pt.br. Bi. 
wy Metapatag. 
On Gib Tri. 
VyUl Lxp.sec. 
Wina MuscLes oF A Goosr. 
Bi. m. biceps; Elust. sec. vinculum elasticum and Eap, sec. m. expansor secundarforum ; Lig. 
ligament ; Metapatag. metapatagium ; Pector. m. pectoralis; Propatag. propatagium ; Pt. br. 
and Pt. lg. mm. propatagialis brevis and longus ; Tri. m. triceps. 
M. flexor digitorum sublimis, arising fleshy from the inner face of 
the long subcutaneous elastic band that extends from the inner con- 
dyle of the humerus along the ventral surface of the ulna to the ulnar 
carpal, over which the tendon runs and is inserted on the radial 
anterior side of the first phalanx of the second digit. Owing to 
the elasticity of the humero-carpal band the wing remains closed 
without any special muscular exertion, while, when the wing is 
extended, this band assists considerably in keeping it taut.+ 
J. AMBIENS (page 11), long and spindle-shaped, lying immedi- 
ately beneath the skin as the most median or internal of all the 
1 From its position immediately under the skin, this band may be easily cut, 
and though that operation would cause a drooping of the wing, it would suffi- 
ciently hinder its being firmly extended, and thus would be the neatest substitute 
for the clumsy and barbaric method commonly employed for pinioning Birds. 
The power of flight is more effectively destroyed if one wing only be operated 
upon than if both are treated, 
