182 AVES (the bird) 



(1) The Feathers. 



(a) Identify (1) the contour feathers, (2) the down 



feathers, (3) the pin-feathers, or undeveloped 

 feathers, and (4) the filoplumes, or hair-hke feath- 

 ers that remain on the bird after plucking. 



(b) Parts of the body covered with feathers? 



(c) Parts of the body not covered with feathers? 



Why? 



(d) Color, or color patterns, and how made? Are they 



bilaterally symmetric? 



(e) A Contour Feather. 



(1) Identify the quill (calamus), the shaft (rachis), 



and the vane, which is made up of barbs, barb- 

 ules, and barbicels. 



(2) Sketch a contour feather, showing and naming 



all the parts. 



(f) A Down Feather. Compare with a contour feather 



and state parts lacking, if any. 



(g) A Filoplume. Compare with a contour feather, 

 (h) Use of each kind of feathers to the bird? 



(i) Tail Feathers. 



(1) How many long quill feathers on the tail? 



(2) Shape of the tail when feathers are spread out? 



Shape when closed? 



(3) Symmetry of the vane? How do these feathers 



overlap? Why? 



(4) Color or color patterns when open? When 



closed? Why? 



(5) Number, color, and arrangement of the upper 



tail coverts? Of the lower tail coverts? 

 (j) Wing Feathers. 



(1) Primaries on the pinion. Usually nine or ten. 



How many do you find? 



(2) Tertiaries on the upper arm. How many? 



(3) How many in all? How many upper coverts? 



Lower coverts? 

 (k) Body Feathers. 



(1) Any contour feathers? If so, how man}^? 



(2) Any down feathers? Approximate number? 



