xr PHENOMENA OF ORGANIC NATURE 415 
- and at the base of the beak, may vary enormously ; 
so may the length of the eyelids, the shape of the 
nostrils, and the length of the neck. I have al- 
ready noticed the habit of blowing out the gullet, 
so remarkable in the Pouter, and comparatively so 
de 
in the others. There are great differences, too, in 
_ the size of the female and the male, the shape of 
the body, the number and width of the processes 
of the ribs, the development of the ribs, and the 
size, shape, and development of the breastbone. 
We may notice, too—and I mention the fact be- 
- cause it has been disputed by what is assumed to 
_ be high authority,—the variation in the number 
of the sacral vertebre. The number of these 
varies from eleven to fourteen, and that without 
any diminution in the number of the vertebrze of 
the back or of the tail. Then the number and 
position of the tail-feathers may vary enormously, 
and so may the number of the primary and second- 
ary feathers of the wings. Again, the length of 
the feet and of the beak,—although they have no 
relation to each other, yet appear to go together,— 
that is, you have a long beak wherever you have 
long feet. There are differences also in the 
periods of the acquirement of the perfect plum- 
; age—the size and shape of the eggs—the nature 
of flight, and the powers of flight—so-called 
“homing” birds having enormous flying powers ;! 
1 The ‘‘Carrier,” I learn from Mr. Tegetmeier, does not 
carry ; 2 high-bred bird of this breed being but g poor flier. 
