Observations on the Cubital Coverts of the Eucrnithes. 173 
that the tip of each Major Covert is carried beyond, or on to 
the distal side of, its corresponding remex. Inserted on the 
integument covering the side of the Cubitus are groups (2) 
and (3)—the Medians and the Minors, respectively. Each 
Median is attached a little above the point of insertion of 
its corresponding Major, and invariably also a little on its 
humeral side. The Medians form a single row, and are of 
special interest as being the chief seat of variation in the 
different groups of birds. The Minors comprehend a variable 
number of rows of feathers, which lie between the Medians 
and the fold of integument above the radius. The first row 
of Minors is seated a little above, and on the humeral side 
of, its respective Median and Major, in such a manner that a 
line joining the bases of any set of all three, passes obliquely 
across the wing. The disposition of the Cubital Coverts 
during life, would suggest that the Minors above the lowest 
row should be based in the same line as the three feathers 
just referred to; but the general disposition of the feathers 
lends some support to the generally received view, that the 
bases of the Minors are arranged in quincunx, or in zig-zag 
instead of in a straight line across the wing, as is the case 
with the insertions of the covert feathers there referred to. 
The feathers seated on the loose fold of integument, or 
patagium, extending along the front edge of the forearm, are 
distinguished as the Marginals. In most birds they can be 
easily made out by the fact that when the patagium is flexed 
towards the under face of the wing the edges of the feathers 
seated on it are raised more or less, while those attached to 
the face of the forearm remain, in general, unmoved. The 
distinction between the Minors and the Marginals, however, 
is not in all cases easily determined. 
In the Antecubital region of the wing a separation of the 
feathers into remiges, majors, medians, minors, and marginals 
is usually possible. But as the variations to which these are 
subject do not yet appear to have been thoroughly worked 
out, they will be passed over with only incidental notice on 
the present occasion. 
In describing the details of arrangement of the feathers, it 
is convenient to make a departure from the old system of 
