146 PTERYLOGRAPHY. 



The contour-feathers are entirely destitute of aftersliafts, but have a very thick, inflated 

 quill. 



3. UNGUIROSTRES sen 



The form of the tracts in this family, which is very uniform also in other respects, follows a 

 very definite type, and is perfectly alike, with the exception of a slight difference in the length 

 of the spinal space, in all the species examined by me. The head is clothed with a continuous 

 plumage, which extends to the middle of the neck. Here the inferior space commences (PI. X, 

 fig. 5) as a narrow stripe, which widens a little upon the breast, and runs, continuing uniform in 

 breadth, exactly over the crest of the sternum, to the belly, where it becomes a little broader, and 

 continues so until it terminates at the anus. Corresponding with this space in position and form 

 is a somewhat narrower spinal space (fig. 6), which is always shorter, both before and behind, 

 than the inferior space, but generally extends from the lower extremity of the neck to the caudal 

 pit, although sometimes it is limited to the interscapulium. The dorsal tract enclosing this space 

 is of equal strength in all parts, never interrupted anywhere, but not of uniform breadth through- 

 out, being at first very narrow, then broader, and at last so broad as to be completely united to 

 the lumbar tracts, presenting no difference in texture either from these or from the plumage of the 

 tibial region. Besides the two spaces just described, there is a rather broad lateral trunk-space 

 (fig. 7). From this a continuation passes forward between the dorsal and axillary tracts up to the 

 level of the shoulder, and, reaching the lower extremity of the neck, forms the very short lateral 

 neck-space. Another prolongation passes along by the outer margin of the inferior tract and 

 beneath the wing, the base of which it surrounds, and unites with the lateral neck-space, com- 

 pletely separating the axillary tract from the inferior tract. Posteriorly the lateral trunk-space 

 extends to the knee, proceeds on the inside of the tibia beside the ventral portion of the inferior 

 tract, and reaches to the tail-feathers, bounded on its two sides by the dorsal and inferior tracts. 

 But before it reaches the region of the knee-covert a very strong prolongation of the inferior tract, 

 starting from the margin of the great pectoral muscle, penetrates into it, and this must be 

 regarded as an indication of an outer branch. It must therefore be assumed, with regard to the 

 latter, that it is completely united on the breast with the main stem of the inferior tract, although 

 it does not terminate in an oblique truncation at the margin of the breast ; but, as in the 

 Procettariee, extends beyond the breast, and is continued on the sides of the trunk almost to the 

 knee. This very considerable length of the outer branch occurs in many Waders, and has also 

 already been noticed in Crypturus (p. 117). This short outer branch, and the broad, obtuse, 

 axillary tract, constitute the strongest portion of the entire plumage of the trunk. Of the feathers 

 themselves there is little to be said. In their position they exactly follow the laws laid down for 

 the Natatores in the introductory remarks ; and as there are always not only one, but usually 

 several down-feathers between each four contour-feathers, the aftershaft destined to thicken the 

 plumage is here regularly altogether deficient. The contour-feathers of the truncal portion of the 



See on the general structure of this family the article under the same title in ' Ersch und 

 Grater's Allgem. Enzykl.,' Erste Sekt, Bd. xxiv, p. 206. 



