THE PTERYLOGRAPHY OF THE MEGAPODII. 485 



many of these and the neighbouring series having been cut. Enough remains to 

 show that the fifth covert is neither abruptly longer nor shorter than the sixth, as 

 sometimes happens in diastataxial wings (10). 



The major coverts of the under surface of the wing are small. 



T. mediae. On the dorsal aspect of the manus these feathers are very small ; they 

 run from the second remex outwards to the tip of the wing. It is interesting to 

 note that the sixth median cubital covert is markedly shorter than the fifth and 

 seventh — on either side — which two are of about equal length. The overlap appears 

 to be proximal. 



This series appears to be absent on the ventral surface. 



T. minores. One row of small, quite vestigial feathers on the manus, from 3- 

 rows of the cubital series. 



The minor coverts of the ventral aspect of the wing are small and only imperfectly 

 clothe its surface. 



T. marginales. Except along the extreme pre-axial border of the wing these 

 cannot be distinguished on the dorsal aspect from the minor coverts. 



On the ventral surface they are readily separable with (1) those which clothe 

 the extreme pre-axial border, and point outwards, and (2) those which lie caudad of 

 these. The latter form a single row of elongated feathers pointing backwards, and 

 serving to clothe the patagial membrane. iioreover they entirely conceal the most 

 anterior of the minor coverts. 



The parapteron is small, but does not otherwise offer any points of particular 

 interest. 



The hypopteron ; like the parapteron this group of feathers does not call for any 

 special remark. 



Ala spuria. This is of considerable size, the outermost and longest extends 

 backwards as far as the free border of the major coverts of the hand. 



The carpus of the adult, from which this description is taken, is armed with a 

 thickened callous pad. 



Semiplunue. A few occur — as usual — along the borders of the pt. spinalis. 



Pluinuhe. These are very small, and confined to the pt. alans. 



FilopltancB. One or two at the base of each of the larger contour feathers. 



Bhamphotheca, simple, with a feebly-developed cere in which the nostrils are 

 placed. These last are impervious, and open, not protected by an operculum as iu 

 Gallinaj. 



Podotheca bare, in the form of large plates. 



Claws. Absent on the wing, on the foot very long and blunt. 



Uropygimn, tufted. 



Apteria : — 



A. spinale. This is very small. In the embryo agreeing precisely with that of 

 G. banlciva, of about the same age. 



w. IV. 65 



