HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD. 49 



size and shape that I find most convenient for general pur- 

 poses ; while the "legend" illustrates every one of the twelve 

 items above specified. 



g Explorations in Dakota. Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. . 



*3 



1 No. 2655. Butes borealis (Gm.) V. $ juv. 



1 Fort Randall, Mo. R. Oct. 29, 1872. 



Obverse. 



23.00 X 53.00 X 1"-50. Eyes yellowish gray; bill horn-blue, 

 darker at tip; cere wax-yellow; tarsi dull yellowish; claws 

 bluish-black. Stomach contained portions of a rabbit; also, a 

 large tapeworm. 



Reverse. 



30. DIRECTIONS FOR MEASUREMENT may be inserted here, 

 as this matter pertains rightfully to the recording of specimens. 

 The following instructions are repeated in substance from the 

 "Key," p. 55 ; they apply not only to length and extent, but 

 to the principal other dimensions, which may be taken at any 

 time. For large birds a tape-line showing inches and fourths 

 will do ; for smaller ones, a foot-rule graduated for inches and 

 eighths, or better, decimals to hundredths, must be used ; and 

 for all nice measurements the dividers are indispensable. 

 "Length:" Distance between the tip of the bill and end of the 

 longest tail feather. Lay the bird on its back on the ruler on 

 a table ; take hold of the bill with one hand and of both legs 

 with the other ; pull with reasonable force to get the curve all 

 out of the neck ; hold the bird thus with the tip of the bill 

 flush with one end of the ruler, and see where the end of the 

 tail points. Put the tape-line in place of the ruler, in the 

 same way, for larger birds. "Extent:" Distance between 

 the tips of the outspread wings. They must be fully out- 

 stretched, with the bird on its back, crosswise on the ruler, its 

 bill pointing to your breast. Take hold of right and left meta- 

 carpus with the thumb and forefinger of your left and right 



