GLOSSARY. 



Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily and clearly 

 understood by examining the accompanying figure than from a written description ; 

 a few, however, may require a word of explanation. 



Mandibles. Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half of the bill, and 

 mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the two halves of the bill 

 as upper and lower mandible. 



Culmen. The ridge of the upper mandible. 

 Qonys. Lower outline (middle) of under mandible. 



Unguis. The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced in several 

 families of water birds, Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels. 



Axillars or Axillary Plumes. Several elongated feathers at the junction of the 

 wing and body. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit.) 



Speculum. Awing baud or patch (usually of a different color from the rest of 

 the wing), formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries; very noticeable in 

 the Ducks. 



Tarsus. Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the tibia (what apjtears to 

 be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the heel joint). 



Superciliary Stripe. Stripe over the eye. 



