GLOSSARY. 



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

 understood by examining the illustrations of "bird toi)Ography," 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. 

 Qonys. — 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). 

 Axiilars 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 5cutel late. — Comparatively large, somewhat square-cut scales, one above 



the other, covering the front of the tarsns. 

 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. 



Cvii) 



