THE SKIN AND ITS APPENDAGES 107 



remiges have the posterior portion of the vane 

 broader than the anterior and are divided 

 into primaries, borne by the second and third 

 metacarpal bones and the digits continuous 

 therewith, and the secondaries arranged along 

 the ulnar side of the forearm. The first digit 

 or thumb supports an independent tuft of 

 feathers known as the false wing (ala spuria). 

 The rectrices, or quill feathers, of the tail have 

 the two sides of the vane about equal in breadth. 



The bases of the remiges and rectrices are 

 concealed by covert feathers — the wing coverts 

 and the tail coverts. Over the rest of the 

 body are contour feathers, and under them the 

 small feathers, known as 'plumules, which 

 constitute the down. The last-named differ 

 from the largest feathers in being of softer and 

 slender structure, and in having no inter- 

 locking hooklets on their barbules. There 

 are still smaller feathers called filoplumes with 

 hair-like scapes and very rudimentary vanes. 



As may be readily determined by the 

 examination of a plucked fowl, the feathers 

 are arranged along definite lines and areas, 

 which have been named pterylce ; the inter- 

 vening tracts devoid of feathers being known 

 as apteria. 



