220 
Gular Pouch. A pouch of bare skin depending from the under side of the lower bill 
between its Y-shaped arms and joining it to the neck below. Some species have only the 
merest trace of it, and others have it remarkably developed, though in most species it is 
entirely absent. 
Hybrid. The offspring between parents of two different species—a ‘‘ cross.” 
Iris. The coloured portion of the eye. The pupil, except in albinism, is always 
black and the surrounding circle of colour is the iris. a 
Lanceolate. Lance shaped, i.e., long and narrow with parallel edges or tapering 
gradually to a point. 
Length. Abbreviated in descriptions by its initial L and given in inches and tenths 
of aninch. Length is taken in a straight line, as with dividers, from the tip of the bill to the 
end of the longest tail feather, the bird being laid out flat on its back and stretched just 
sufficiently to straighten the curves of the neck. 
Lores. A small spot between the eye and the base of the bill (Figure 1, p. 18). 
Mandibles. The two members forming the bill; thus there is an upper and a lower 
mandible. 
Mantle. A term covering the back, shoulders, upper wing coverts, and secondaries. 
Applied more especially to the gulls where the even colouring of these parts suggests a 
mantle covering the whole upper part of the body and closed wings. 
Melanism. The opposite of albinism. It is the more or less erratic occurrence of 
very dark or black individuals in a normally lighter-coloured species. It usually occurs 
less frequently than albinism though some species are more liable to it and it glides im- 
perceptibly into dichromatism in some cases. Albinism usually denotes a lack of virility. 
Melanism does not seem to be an evidence of weakness and hence melanistic strains have 
better chances of surviving. A melanistic animal is said to be a Melano (see page 7). 
Nape. A small space at the back of the neck just below the base of the skull (Figure 
1, p.1'8): 
Neck. The space between the throat and breast in front, and the hind head and 
shoulders behind. It is divided into fore neck and hind neck whose meanings are obvious 
(Figure 1, p. 18). 
Order. In zoological classification a group of families having mutual resemblance 
enough to separate them from all other groups. It is next larger than the family and is the 
largest subdivision of birds that we have to deal with in Canada (see page 7). 
Pectinate. Furnished with comb-like teeth. In ornithology usually applied to the 
claws of some species that are so furnished (Figure 19, p. 21). 
Pelagic. Living largely or almost entirely at sea. 
Pensile. Applied to nests when they hang suspended like a bag between the forks of a 
branch or other such support, with nothing supporting from below. 
Primaries. The large flight feathers secured to the first joint of the wing from the 
wrist to the tip (see secondaries). (See Figure 1, p. 18.) 
Race. As used here, practically synonymous with subspecies. In general, any 
group within a species exhibiting recognizable common characters differentiating it from 
others of the same species. 
Rufous. Of a red or reddish colour. 
Rump. The lower end of the back just before the root of the tail (Figure 1, p. 18). 
Secondaries. The large flight feathers secured to the second joint of the wing 
between the wrist and the elbow (see primaries). (Figure 1, p. 18.) 
Species. In zoological classification the smallest constant group. is the scientific 
