191 8.] Under Wing-Coverts of Bh-ds. 537 



The space between the quills of the 1st manual and the 

 1st cubital remex, in the wing of this Snake-bird, is very 

 wide, as is also that between the corresponding major under 

 coverts. Hence two small feathers of the median row, 

 obsolete elsewhere, naturally persist in this vacant space and 

 tend to close up into the major row. 



Ardea goliath. One specimen examined, shot 9 September, 

 1916. 



Major under coverts forming a complete row, with an 

 extra one between the 4th and 5th cubital remiges ; the 

 11th on the manus 62 mm. long, completely hiding the 

 remicle, which is only half as long ; those on the cubitus 

 not very long, growing shorter towards the elbow. Overlap 

 conforming on the cubitus ; contrary on the proximal part, 

 and conforming on the distal part, of the manus. The two 

 wings differ a little in the extent of the portion of this series 

 having the contrary overlap, this portion comprising the 

 1st to the 4th on one wing, and the 1st to the 5th or 6th on 

 the other. 



Median under coverts complete on the cubitus, there 

 being one for each major covert ; no extra one at the carpal 

 joint, but one on the manus situated slightly to the distal 

 side of the first manual major covert. (Overlap doubtless 

 contrary, but not mentioned in notes.) 



As this is the first case to be described of the exceptional 

 contrary overlap in the major under coverts on the proximal 

 part of the manus, it is proper to note: (1) that in this 

 large bird, with the feathers firmly placed, there could have 

 been no mistake ; and (2) that it is impossible to regard 

 these contrarily overlapped feathers as being really median 

 coverts, because in this bird the median coverts form a very 

 distinct row situated at some distance from the major, and 

 extending on to the manus. 



Nycticorax leuconotus. One specimen examined, No. 



5608. 

 Major under coverts forming a complete row, those on the 

 cubitus smaller than those on the manus, the 11th on the 



