APPENDIX. 411 



GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE PRECEDING 



DESCRIPTIONS. 



[These definitions are compiled from Robert Ridjrway's Nomenclature of Colors, and Dr. 



Elliot Coues' * Glossary.] 



A. 



Ab'dome*i. Belly ; under surface of body from breast-bone to vent ; bounded 

 laterally by the sides, posteriorly by the vent or anal region and anteriorly by 

 the breast. 



Abdo'minal. Pertaining to the abdomen. 



Aber'rant. Deviating from the usual character. 



Apces'sory. Joined to another thing ; additional (as an accessory plume). 



Accip'itres. Plural of Accipiter ; also the name of a more or less artificial group 

 of birds, including the so-called " Birds of Prey " or Raptores of some authors. 



Accip'itrine. Hawk-like. 



Acu'miiiate. Tapering gradually to a point, 



Acute'. Sharp-pointed. 



Adult' Grown to full size ; mature (a bird may be adult as regards organization 

 without being of adult plumage). 



After-shaft. Properly, the stem of the supplementary plume springing from near 

 the base of some feathers ; ordinarily, however, applied to the plume itself. 



Al'ar. Pertaining to the wings. 



Alimen'tary. Pertaining to the digestive organs. 



Al' trices. Birds reared in the nest and fed by the parents. With the exception of 

 the RaptoreSj some of the Steganopodes and Pygopodes, the Longipennes and 

 Spheni&ti, the young of the Altrices are born naked, or only partly clad. 



Alu'la. " Bastard-wing ;" spurious-wing composed of several stiff feathers grow- 

 ing on the so-called thumb. They are situated directly below the secondary 

 or greater coverts, and collectively resemble a little wing. 



A'nal. Pertaining to the anus. 



A'nal region. The feathers immediately surrounding the anus. 



An' iiular. Ringed. 



Auo'malous. Very strange or unusual. 



An'seriiie. Goose-like. 



An'te. Anterior to, or before ; as anteorbital, anteocular, etc. 



Ante'rior. Forward ; in front of. 



Antrorse. Directed forward, as the nasal tufts of most jays and crows, and the 

 rectal bristles of many birds. 



A'nus. Outlet of refuse of digestion. In birds the same orifice discharges the pro- 

 ducts of the genito-urinary organs. 



A'pex. Tip or point of anything. 



Aquat'ic. Pertaining to the water ; said of birds frequenting water, and thence 

 drawing subsistence. 



Arbo'real. Tree-inhabiting. 



Ash or Ash'y. Pale gray. 



Atten'uate. Tapering or gradually growing narrower toward the extremity, but 

 not necessarily pointed or acuminate. 



Auric'ular. Pertaining to the ear. 



Auric'ulars. Ear-coverts. The (usually) well-defined feathered area which con- 

 ceals the ears in birds. 



* Hist. N. Am. B, Vol. Ill, pp. 536-560. 



