GLOSSARY. 



Nearly all the terms used in describing a bird may be more easily and clearly 

 understood by examining the illustrations of "bird topography," on pages viii and ix, 

 than from a written description; a few, however, may require a word of explanation. 



Cere. A hard skin-like covering on the base of the upper mandible (Parrots, 



Hawks, etc.). 

 Mandibles. Some authors use the word maxilla for the upper half of the bill, and 



mandible for the lower. I prefer, however, to describe the two halves of the bill 



as upper and lower mandible. 

 Culmen. The ridge of the upper mandible. 

 Gonys. Lower outline (middle) of under mandible. 

 Unguis. The nail on the end of the upper mandible ; very pronounced in several 



families of water birds (Ducks, Pelicans, and Petrels). 

 Axillars or Axillary Plumes. Several elongated feathers at the junction of the 



wing and body. (Lat. axilla, the arm-pit.) 

 Carpus or Carpal Joint. Bend of the wing. The third segment of the wing 



corresponding to the wrist (see illustration). 

 Speculum. A wing band or patch (usually of a different color from the rest of 



the wing), formed by the terminal portion of the secondaries; very noticeable in 



the Ducks. 

 Tarsus. Extends from the root of the toes to the end of the tibia (what appears to 



be the bend of the leg or knee ; but which is, in reality, the heel joint). See illus- 

 tration. 



Toes Syndactyle. Outer and middle toes more or less joined together (King- 

 fisher, etc.). 



Toes Zygodactyle. Arranged in pairs, two in front, two behind (Cuckoos, etc.). 

 Tarsus Reticulate. Covered with numerous small, uneven scales (Plovers, etc.). 

 Tarsus Scutellate. Comparatively large, somewhat square-cut scales, one above 



the other, covering the front of the tarsus. 

 Booted Tarsus. Scales fused together on greater portion of tarsus so as to be 



indistinct or invisible except on lower part (Robins, etc.). 

 Superciliary Stripe. Stripe over the eye. 



