xvni 



iu future to speak of it as the carpal covert, a term which I 

 believe to be justified by its relation to the carpus. x\s 

 regards its origin and significance I shall now proceed to ex- 

 plain myself further^ and I shall endeavour to prove that my 

 carpal covert belongs to the system of major cubital coverts, 

 and that its attendant remex is iu process of disappearing. 



First as to the variation in the position of this carpal 

 covert. It seems to me that there is a reason for this 

 variation, and that an unquestionable solution for the dis- 

 placemeiit of this feather is to be found in the mechauical 

 aud statical functions to which the bird''s wing is subjected, 

 according to the amount of exertion required in connection 

 with its flight or mode of living. 



As Mr. Wray was satisfied that the carpal covert belonged 

 to the median series, it is my duty to explain why I am 

 convinced that it is a major cubital covert. For the purpose 

 of determining whether this feather belongs to the major 

 or median series of covei'ts, the ordinary routine of turning 

 up row after row is not sufficient to arrive at a reliable 

 conclusion on the subject. By tlie examination, however, of 

 a number of moulting Passeres, where the dorsal series of 

 major coverts have become sufficiently developed, it will be 

 seen that the carpal covert makes its appearance along with 

 the remainder of the major coverts on the cubitus. This 

 was seen very distinctly in the case of a Blue Titmouse 

 [Parus ccernleus), where the major coverts of the metacarpus 

 had not yet moulted, and where there was no evidence of an 

 immediate moult. 



The cubital coverts, hovrever, were clean moulted, and 

 the carpal covert had followed suit. This statement has 

 also been verified by Mr. Pycraft, who informs me that 

 he had come to the conclusion that no other solution Avas 

 possible than that this covert, which I have named the 

 " carpaP' covert, belonged to the major cubital series'^. 



* [Mr. Degeu ml^ht further Lave stated that I (at that time) helieved 

 this covert to be the major covert or the degenerate feather beneath 

 it. which represented a remes. Recently my faith in this theory has been 

 somewhat shaken, and I now rind mvself in an unea>v state of doubt. — 

 V.'.r. P." 



