34 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN". 



small bone rising from the wrist-joint of the wing. The lastard 

 wing assists in flight by keeping the wing from turning up- 

 wards, and contracts the points of the wing in a downward and 

 backward position to that of the course of the Bird through the 

 air. 



3, 3. The lesser coverts of the wings. — These are the feathers 

 which are found in successive rows upon the wings ; those on 

 the inside are termed under coverts^ and are much less regarded 

 by Ornithologists as a means of distinction than the others. 



4, 4. The greater coverts. — The wing feathers lying under the 

 lesser coverts ; they are much larger and stronger than the latter. 



5, 5. The primaries. — Large quill feathers taking their growth 

 from below the wrist-joint. The length and proportion of the 

 feathers control, in a wide degree, the movements of the Bird 

 in the air. The nearer the longer prvaiary quill approaches the 

 body, the more dexterous and beautiful will be the motion of 

 the Bird when on the wing. The Haivks, Swalloius, and various 

 other Birds of rapid flight, that seize their prey when on the 

 wing, have the longest ^rmar?/ feather very near the body, and 

 consequently are enabled to turn and twist themselves with 

 great facility. 



6, 6. The secondaries, or second quill feathers, spring from the 

 second bone of the wing. When the wing is extended, they 

 frequently appear like a continuation of the primaries. 



7, 7. The tertiary, or third quill feathers, also arise from the 

 second bone, but much nearer the elbow-joint. 



8, 8. The scapulars, or shoulder feathers, are formed by the 

 soft and downy feathers that cover the shoulder-bones, and are 

 serviceable only as a protection to the parts which they sur- 

 round ; 'they unite without any regularity with the plumage of 

 the back and wings. 



9, The rump feathers and upper-tail coverts. — These feathers 

 are the continuation of the covering of the back, and are strong 

 in proportion to the peculiar habits of the Bird. In the Wood- 

 pecker tribe, for instance, these feathers are very strong and 

 unusually long, as they make constant use of the tail as a sup- 

 port and assistance when climbing the trunks of trees ; and so 

 it is with some water-fowl not webfooted, but obliged fre- 

 quently to take flight from the water. The tail feathers in these 



