GLOSSARY OF TERMS *X1 



Steenum. — The breastbone. Birds are divided into two great divisions, 

 dependent on the presence or absence of a deep forwardiy projecting 

 plate (keel) down the centre of this bone. The development of this 

 keel is directly dependent on the power of flight and the two divisions 

 are known as (1) the Carinatse (those with keels) and (2) the Ratitae 

 (those without) ; Ratitae do not occur in the British Islands. 



Subulate. — Awl-shaped. 



Superciliary. — Referring to the part inunediately above the eye. 



Syndactylous. — Having two toes coalescent. 



Tarsus. — The most conspicuous portion of the bird's leg, and except in a few 

 genera, covered with flattened horny scales or Scutes. The toes 

 are attached to its lower extremity. (See fig., p. *xiii.) 



Tibia.— The shin-bone — generally the longest portion of the bird's leg, extends 

 from the knee joint to the tarsal joint (c/. Tarsus). 



Teleoptiles. — The feathers or down which immediately succeed the 

 Neossoptiles (q.v.). 



Tropical. — Of or belonging to the tropics, that portion of the globe between 

 the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, i.e. 23° N. and S. of the equator. 



Uropygium. — The rump. 



Web. — I. The fleshy membrane uniting (or attached to the sides of) the 

 toes of water-birds. 



II. The collected rami on either side of the shaft of a feather, generally 

 used with the qualifying adjectives inner or outer. (See fig., p. *xv.) 



Wing-bar. — Seo Alar bar. 



Xanthochrotsm. — The abnormal replacement of another colour, generally 

 green, by yellow. 



Zyoodactyle. — Vieillot's name (1816) for the group of birds having two 

 toes pointing forwards and two backwards. Practically the same 

 as Illiger's Scansores (q-v.). 



S — Male. 



$ — Female. 



