572 



Mr. G. L. Bates on the Reversed 



[Ibis, 



end of the row — never at the distal end. They always have 

 the contrary overlap. 



The modifications now to be described, in the reversed 

 under coverts of Passeriforrn birds, have to do exclusively 

 with the greater or less reduction of the diflPerent parts of the 

 major series. 



Smithornis. Twelve examples, belonging to three species, 

 examined. (Text-fig. 12.) 



Major under coverts on the manus ten in number, but the 

 first, next the carpal joint, generally reduced in size, some- 

 times so much reduced as to be a mere rudiment. Rudi- 

 mentary major under coverts present in every case, on the 



Text-fig. 12. 



Diagram of the under wing-coverta of Smithornis 

 with the median series removed. 



i-x. Primaries ; i'-vii ', etc. Secondaries. 

 1"-10*. Manual major u.w.c. 

 l''-8''. Rudimentary cubital major u.w.c. 



cubitus, usually very small and downy, but sometimes those 

 on the distal part large enough to have distinctly visible 

 shafts, 



Hirundo and Psalidoprocne. Thirteen examples, belonging 

 to four species, examined. 



Major coverts on the manus nine, the 10th, at the wing- 

 tip, wanting (10th remex very small) ; the 1st, by the carpal 

 joint, generally reduced in size. Rudimentary major under 

 coverts present in every case on the cubitus. 



