Vol i9i8 XV ] Clark, Tail-feathers and Coverts. 121 



with 1 the longest. In Pelecanus, 10-10 is the arrangement, each 

 rectrix with its own covert above it. In Plotus, we find 6-8 or 9 

 with all the coverts small and narrow and 3 or 4 the longest. 



Cathartidiformes. In a half grown King Vulture (Sarcor- 

 hamphus) there are six pairs of large rectrices each overlaid very 

 regularly by a major covert. The same is true in the Turkey 

 Buzzard (Cathartes) but here covert 1 is smaller than 2 or 3. 



Accipitriformes. In Circus, Astur and Halioectus, we find 6-6 

 and in the eagle, the first is somewhat smaller than the second. 

 In Falco albigularis and Cerchneis sparveria, the arrangement is 

 distinctly 6-5 as in Passerine birds. In Pandion, on the other hand, 

 we find 6-7 or 8 as in owls; the first covert is a trifle smaller than 

 the second. Pandion thus agrees with the anseriform birds in 

 having more coverts than rectrices. The owls are notable among 

 land birds in having the number of coverts exceeding that of the 

 tail-feathers. The first is often smaller than the second as in Pan- 

 dion. In Bubo, Megascops, Nyctea, Glaucidium, Asio and Nydala 

 we find 6-7. In nestlings of Bubo and Asio, the arrangement is 

 6-8, indicating a very recent loss in owls, of the eighth covert. 



Coraciiformes. The kingfishers {Cerylc and at least one uni- 

 dentified genus) have the passerine arrangement, 6-5, a covert 

 over each rectrix except 1. In the Cypseli (Chaetura), Trochili 

 (Archilochus and 2 or more unidentified genera) and Caprimulgi 

 (Chordeiles, Antrostomus) the formula is 5-5, a covert nearly over 

 each rectrix. In the only motmot examined, Baryphthengus, the 

 formula 5-4 occurs; I have noted it in no other bird. The coverts 

 lie over rectrices 2-5. 



Trogones. The Cuban trogon, Priotelus, is the only member of 

 this order available to me and it has the typical passerine arrange- 

 ment, 6-5. 



Coccyges. Some unidentified Brazilian cuckoos agreed with 

 Coccyzus in the formula 5-5, each covert agreeing well in relative 

 size and position with the rectrices. 



Psittaciformes. All the parrots I examined (Conuropsis and 

 at least two different, unidentified genera) agreed in the passerine 

 arrangement 6-5 and showed no peculiarities of their own. Two 

 of the genera lacked the oil-gland. 



Scansores. Only toucans have been accessible to me, of this 



