XXL\ 



the assertion tliat they are remiges^ Tritliout^ hovcever, giving 

 any reliable data basud upon special study. 



Their insertion^ as vrell as their texture, certainly entitles 

 them to rank -with the flight-feathers in general, except 

 perhaps as regards the most proximal one of the 4 usuallv 

 foitnd. 



This latter_feather seems to stand some"n"hat apart from 

 the others, at all events it is always more loosely attached 

 to the single phalanx of digit I., and is frequently situated 

 in close proximity to the carpal major covert. To assign 

 it at once to the other supposed remiges would be ra.ther 

 premature. There is great difficulty in establishing the 

 various series of dorsal coverts on the ala spuria. A certain 

 amount of joatience and perseverance, however, will overcome 

 even this obstacle. 



After many futile attempts I have at last succeeded in 

 tracing and folloAving up the series, when I found the major, 

 median, minor, and marginal coverts to extend on the ala 

 spuria in the order named. 



Tliis discovery, however, would not be sufficient j)roof 

 of the value of the flight-feathers, or, as they ought to be 

 termed, main quills, until stich proofs be established. 



I was fortunate enough to discover, for the first time, 

 the presence of two ventral major coverts in the Demoiselle 

 Crane, and although but small they were strong in texture 

 and quite pennaceous. I have since found them in all birds 

 except the smaller Passeres, where they probably escape 

 detection on account of their diminutive size. Their iden- 

 tity as ventral major coverts is beyond doubt, from the 

 fact of their lymg immediately under the main quills with 

 their dorsum turned tqnoards, the common character of all 

 ventral major and median coverts which have been derived 

 from the upper surface of the body. {Cf. Sundevall, Wray, 

 Pycraft, &c.) This, together with the dorsal coverts, will 

 show that the feather-quills of the ala spuria or pennce pollicis 

 are true remiges. 



A few remarks may now be made on some points in 

 connection with the two figures of the diagram representing 



