GLOSSARY 13 



CLOACA. A cavity in birds and reptiles in which the intestinal and 

 urinary ducts terminate. 



CLUTCH. A complete set of eggs; a brood of chicks. 



CONVOLUTIONS. Coils; twists; folds. 



COVERTS. (Wing coverts). The feathers covering the bases of the 

 flight feathers; those of the upper surface of the wing are called 

 the upper wing-coverts, and those on the underside of the wing are 

 called the under wing-coverts or wing "lining;" the upper coverts 

 are divided into the lesser, middle, and greater coverts (fig. 19). 

 (Tail coverts). The feathers covering the bases of the tail-feathers; 

 there are upper tail-coverts and under tail-coverts (fig. 16). 



CREST. A more or less lengthened group of feathers on the top of the 

 head, permanently erected or capable of being erected at will. 



CROWN. The top part of the head, between the forehead and the back 

 of head or occiput (fig. 16). 



CRUSTACEAN, (pi. Crustacea or crustaceans). One of a class of water- 

 breathing animals, including the water fleas, barnacles, shrimps, 

 crayfish, etc. 



CULMEN. The upper ridge or profile of the bill; measured in a straight 

 line from the first forehead-feathers to the tip of the bill (fig. 18). 



CYGNET. A young swan. 



CYGNINAE. The subfamily of Swans. 



DECURVED. Bent downward. 



DEXDRO CYGNINAE. The subfamily of Tree Ducks. 



DORSAL. Pertaining to the back. 



EAR COVERTS. The feathers overlaying the ear; auriculars (fig. 16). 



ECLIPSE PLUMAGE. Term applied to the plumage attained by the in- 

 complete postnuptial moult of most male ducks (see section on 

 "Moults and Plumages"). 



EMARGINATE. Having part of one web of a feather abruptly narrower 

 than the rest, as if partly cut away. 



ERISMATURINAE. The subfamily to which belongs the Ruddy and 

 Masked Ducks (Oxyurinae of Peters). 



EVERT. To turn inside out. 



EVOLUTIONS. Wheeling about; erratic movements in flying. 



FAMILY. In ornithology, a group of kinds of birds having enough mu- 

 tual resemblance and relationship to be classed together, and apart 

 from all other birds. 



FAUNA. The animal life of a region. 



FLANKS. The hindmost part of the sides of the body, between the rump 

 and belly (fig. 16). 



FOOT. See Tarsus. 



FOREHEAD. The area between the base of the upper mandible of the 

 bill and the top-of-head or crown (fig. 16). 



FORE-NECK. The front part of the neck, between the throat and the 

 chest (fig. 16). 



