GLOSSARY. 327 



Ruff A. series of modified feathers. 



Scansorial Capable of climbing. 



Scansorial tail Tail feathers sharp and stiff, as in the scansorial 



birds (Woodpeckers). 

 Scapula Shoulder blade. 

 Scutellate Provided with scutella ; said of the tarsus when 



covered with broad plates in a regular vertical series, and 



separated by regular lines of impression. 

 Scutellum One of the tarsal plates or scutella. 

 Secondaries The quills growing on the fore arm. 

 Second dorsal The posterior or soft part of the dorsal fin, when 



the two parts are distinctly separated. 

 Sectorial tooth One of the premolars of carnivora, adapted for 



cutting. 

 Semipalmate Half- webbed ; having the anterior toes more or less 



connected at base by a webbing which does not extend to the 



claws. 



Septum A thin partition. 

 Serrate Notched, like a saw. 

 Sessile Without a stem or peduncle. 

 Setaceous Bristly. 

 Slwulder girdle The bony girdle posterior to the head, in fishes, 



etc., to which the anterior limbs are attached. 

 Soft dorsal The posterior part of the dorsal fin in fishes, when 



composed of soft rays. 



Soft rays Fin -rays which are branching and articulate. 

 Spine Any sharp projecting point; in fishes, those fin -rays 



which are unbranched, inarticulate, and usually more or less 



stiffened. 



Spinous Stiff, or composed of spines. 

 Spinous dorsal The anterior part of the dorsal fin in fishes, 



when composed of spinous rays. 

 Spiracles Openings in the head or neck of some fishes and 



Batrachians. 



Spurious Said of the first primary when less than about one- 

 third the length of the second. (The student will notice that 



in Oscines the presence of a short or spurious quill indicates 



ten primaries ; its absence, nine) 

 Sternum The breast bone. 

 Striate Striped or streaked. 



