57



on the Nestling of Fraser's Totiracou.

b. The wings.


The wing presents several features of considerable interest.

The first point that strikes one is the great development of the

quill feathers, the body being still invested in down.


The form of the extended wing is peculiar, as may be seen

in the plate fig. 4.


There are 10 primaries and n secondaries. None of these

have not yet completed their growth, the bases of the feathers

being still sheathed after the fashion of growing feathers.


The longest quills are those in the middle of the wing—

the outermost secondaries, and the innermost primaries. So

that the wing when open has-a peculiar oblong form.


The thumb bears a small claw, but there is no claw on the

index digit.


The hand is slightly shorter than the fore-arm.


The major coverts of the upper surface of the wing have

not only made their appearatice, but, it is to be noticed they have

completed their growth. This is a point to which we shall have

to refer later.


No covert feathers have appeared on the under surface

of the wing.


c. The feet.


The first point that catches attention about the feet of

this bird is their great size; and this is rendered the more

conspicuous by reason of the shortness of the “ leg ” ( tarsometa -

tarsus'). The longest toe—the middle toe—measures ri inches

in length, or about 27 millimetres ; whilst the tarso-metatarsus

measures a little under 07 inch or about 18 millimetres.


The foot in the adult Touracou is semi-zygodactylous; in

the nestling the outer toe can be turned so as to lie at right

angles to the long axis of the middle toe, and is connected there¬

with by a web.


The claws are hooked at the tip, and laterally compressed

to a very marked degree.


The planta, or back of the tarso-metatarsus is granulated,

whilst its anterior surface (acrofarsiumj is covered by a series of

transverse scutes, six in number.



