PHYLOGENT OF THE PAL^OGNATH^ AND NEOGNATH^. 157 



such coverts being included in each of these bundles. The bases of these coverts 

 form a series of partitions, dividing the post-axial border of the wing into a number of 

 wide and deep compartments. 



Carjml covert and remex. (PI, XLV. fig. 12.) 



Two different sets of feathers seem to claim identification with these ; one or other 

 of which is invariably present in the Neognathce. The 1st metacarpal remex appears to 

 me to represent the carpal remex of the Neognathce. This is smaller than the rest 

 of the metacarpal series and has a large major covert. In its position and its relations 

 to the 2nd remex, it closely resembles the carpal remex of many Neognathoi. 



The second set of feathers, referred to as possibly representing the Neognathine carpal 

 covert and remex, lie immediately pre-axiad of the base of the major covert of the 

 1st metacarpal remex ; or, in others words, pre-axiad of the base of that featlier which 

 we have just tried to show may represent the carpal covert {c.c, PI. XLV. fig. 12). 

 The identification of the covert must stand or fall by the quill. 



The possible carpal remex, c'.r'., as we have just remarked, lies immediately 

 pre-axiad of the supposed carpal covert [c.c, PI. XLV. fig. 12). Furthermore, for the 

 purposes of identification, we may mention that this new remex, **, is seen to be 

 serial with the t. medue of the forearm on the one hand, and is the terminal feather 

 to a transverse row of six on the other. In other words, it and its covert represents 

 the 1st median and minor covert of the manus. In position, that is to say with regard 

 to its relation to the 1st metacarpal remex — which is also to be regarded as possibly 

 representing the true carpal remex, c.r. fig. 12, — it very closely agrees with the relation 

 between the carpal remex and the 1st metacarpal remex of Neognatlm {c.r., 

 PI. XLV. fig. 12). 



It does not seem possible to settle this question definitely. It may be that these 

 two feathers now under discussion may, in the Neognatha', represent sometimes one, 

 sometimes the other of these two sets. This seems the more probable when we 

 remember the varying development and relations to the primary remiges which obtain 

 in wings of Neognathce. 



If the first and most favoured interpretation of the identity of the carpal remex is 

 correct, then it would seem that it represents, in Neognathte, the 1st metacarpal, not the 

 1st cubital remex, as was contended by Mitchell [62]. If the second interpretation is 

 correct, then the carpal remex of the Neognathw is represented in Bhea by a median 

 and minor covert of the metacarpus. 



T, majores. — On the cubitus these are slightly longer than their remiges, about 1 in. 

 On the manus they are slightly shorter. It is significant to note that in the young of 

 many Neognathw the cubitals are at first shorter than their coverts ; tlie coverts 

 performing for a brief time the function of the quills, as in the case of young Gallince. 



T. medice. — The median coverts of the cubitus ofler no features for discussion other 

 VOL. xv^. — PABT V. No. 7. — December, 1900. 2 a 



