GLOSSARY. 



Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily 



and clearly understood by examining the accompanying figure than from 



a written description ; a few, however, may, perhaps, require a word of 



explanation. 

 MANDIBLES. — Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half of 



the bill, and 7nandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the 



two halves of the bill as upper and lower mandible. 

 CULM EN. — The ridge of the upper mandible. 

 GONYS. — Lower outline (middle) of under mandible. 

 UNGUIS. — The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced 



in several families of water birds, — Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels. 

 AXILLARS or AXILLARY PLUMES. — Several elongated feathers at 



the junction of the wing and body (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit). 

 SPECULUM. — A wing band or patch (usually of a different color from the 



rest of the wing) formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries ; very 



noticeable in the Ducks. 

 TARSUS. — Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the tibia (what 



appears to be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the 



heel joint). 

 SUPERCILIARY STRIPE.— Stripe over the eye. 



