122 



ORNITHOLOGY: GLOSSARY. 



PLOVER. From the Latin, pluvia, 

 rain. A bird so called, from making 

 its appearance in the rainy season. 



PLUMAGE. From the Latin, pluma, 

 a soft feather. The feathery coat 

 of a bird. 



PLUME. Feather of a bird. 



PODICEPS. The Generic name of the 

 Grebes. 



POLYGAMOUS From the Greek, polus, 

 many, and gamos, marriage. When 

 animals do not live in pairs, but on 

 the contrary, an individual is united 

 to several of the opposite sex, they 

 are said to be polygamous. 



POLYGLOTTUS. From the Greek, 

 polus^ many, and glossa, tongue. 

 Many-tongued. Specific name of 



X the Mocking bird. 



I^ATENSIS. Latin. Belonging or 

 relating to a meadow. 



PREHENSILE. Endowed with the 

 power of seizing hold of. Applied 

 to certain parts. 



PREHENSION. From the Latin, pre- 

 hendere, to lay hold of. The pre- 

 hension of aliments consists in lay- 

 ing hold of, and conveying food 

 into the mouth. 



PRF.SSIROSTRES. From the Latin, 

 pressus, pressed, and rosirum,beak. 

 Systematic name of a family of 

 Grallatoriae. 



PREY. Food gotten by violence. 



PRIMARIES, (Primary quills.) The 

 largest feathers of the wings. 



PROCELLARIA. From the Latin, pro- 

 celta, a great tempest at sea. Sys- 

 tematic name of the Petrels. 



PROGNOSTIC. From the Greek, pro^ 

 before, and ginosko, I know, I 

 judge. A conjecture or opinion of 

 what is yet to happen. 



PROJECTILE. From the Latin, pro- 

 jicere, to throw in advance, or to a 

 distance. Any heavy body thrown 

 into the air, and abandoned to the 

 action of its own weight. That 

 which is capable of being cast or 

 thrown forward. Having the power 

 of sudden extension. 



PROTRACTILE. Capable of being 

 drawn out, or extended. 



PROVENTRICULUS. From the Latin, 

 pro, before, and ventriculus, a little 

 stomach. The second stomach of 

 birds. 



PSITTACUS. From the Greek, psitta- 

 kos, a Parrot. Systematic name of 

 Parrots. 



PSOPHIA. From the Greek, psophicij 

 I make a noise. Systematic name 

 of the Trumpeters. 



PULVERATOR. From the Latin, pul- 

 verare, to cover with dust. Ap- 

 plied to those birds that wallow in 

 the dust. 



PYGARGUS. From the Greek, puge, 

 behind, and argos, white. A bird 

 of prey with a white tail. 



PYLORUS. From the Greek, pule, a 

 gate, and euros, a guardian. The 

 lower, or right orifice of the 

 stomach. 



PYRGITA. Generic name of the Spar- 

 rows. 



PYRRHULA. Generic name of the 

 Bullfinches. 



QUISCALUS. Generic name of the 

 Blackbirds. 



RADIUS. Latin. A spoke so called 

 from its shape one of the bones 

 of the fore-arm. 



RALLUS. Generic name of the Rails. 



RAMPHASTOS. From the Greek, ram- 

 phos, a beak. Generic name of 

 the Toucans. 



RAPACES. From the Latin, rapax, 

 ravenous, devouring. Systematic 

 name of the order of birds of prey. 



RETRICES. From the Latin, reclrix, 

 a governess. The long feathers of 

 the tail which serve to steer the bird. 



RECURVIROSTRA. From the Latin, 

 recurvo, I bend back, and rostrum, 

 beak. Systematic name of birds 

 whose beaks are curved upwards. 



REGIMEN Diet. 



REGULUS. Latin. Diminutive of rex, 

 a king. A Wren. 



REGURGITATE. The return of food to 

 the mouth after it has been once 

 swallowed. 



RELIGIOSA. Latin. Religious. 



REMIGES. The strong feathers of the 

 wings. 



