PLATB XXVIII. 



ASCERTAIXiyo THE SEXES OF EIKDS 



I shall here quote what I say on this sultjrci in Chaiiter \', 77/'. M<j.kiit<j (p <ij 

 Birds' Skins : 



All skins prepared for the cabinet, and all mounted specimens should have a 

 label attached to the legs, giving the species, sex, locality, date of collection, etc. 

 In many adult birtls the sex can be determined by the color of the plumage. 

 In most cases the body should be examined to make sure of the sex of the specimen. 

 IIk' testes of the male and the ovaries cf the female lie in the same position in the 

 small of the luick, closr to the ki(hieys, and may easily be reached by cutting through 

 the wall ot the abdomen on one side and pushing the intestines out of the way. 

 The testes of the male are a pair of yellowish bodies Ij'ing close together. Fig. 2, 

 The ovary is a mass of small si)heres. Fig 1. In the breeding season l)oth these 

 organs are subject to such enlargement that they liecome very conspicuous, and 

 dillerso much in appearance that they cannot be mistaken. At other seasons of 

 the year they can only be recognized upon close examination. The male is denoted 

 l)y the sign of jNIars ( $ ), the female by the sign of Venus ( 9 ). or the right leg is 

 <-rossed over the l(>ft to indicate the male, and the left over the right to denote the 

 female. 



It would be well for those who desire to capouizc fowls to give this plate some 

 studv. 



