221 
term to denote what is understood in common language as a “‘ kind of animal.’”’ Thus a 
house cat is a species, whether Maltese, tortoise shell, or tabby, the dog, whether grey- 
hound or spaniel is another, and a horse, whether Shetland pony or draught, is a third 
(see page 5). 
Speculum. A somewhat rectangular patch of contrasting colour on the centre of the 
upper surface of the wing. It often shows metallic iridescence and is a common feature of 
coloration in some families, as in the Ducks. 
Stripes. In ornithological descriptions, stripes always run lengthways of the bird; 
lines if across the body are spoken of as bars (see bars). 
Sternum. The breast bone. Ina bird a deeply keeled structure to which the wing 
muscles are attached. 
Subspecies. In ornithological classification, synonymous with geographical race or 
variety, denoting a division of the species usually correlated with geographic limitations. 
It differs essentially from a full species by showing intergradations with allied races of equal 
rank. ‘Taking the horse as a representative species, the various breeds or strains, such as 
Arab, Clydesdale, or Shetland pony are subspecies (see page 6, for discussion). 
Tarsus. The metatarsal bones of the foot fused together into a single bone. This is 
what we popularly regard as the bird’s leg but is properly the foot, extending between the 
juncture of the toes and the end of the “ drum stick.”’ A comparison with the joints of the 
human leg will make it obvious that the knee is between the ‘drum stick” and the 
“ second joint ”’ of the fowl and that the first external joint on the bird corresponds with our 
heel, the “‘ feet”? being true toes. 
Type. In zoological nomenclature the ‘type form” is that form first properly 
described and named and_ the specimen from which the description was written is the type 
specimen. It does not of necessity mean that the form is typical in the ordinary sense of 
the word, though for convenience it is assumed to be so (see page 8). 
Vermiculation. In descriptions of plumage, vermiculation refers to fine, irregularly 
wavy lines suggesting the pathways of innumerable small worms, from which the word is 
derived. 
Vinaceous. Wine coloured. A peculiar purplish pink shown or suggested in the 
coloration of some birds. 
