1916] 



Chandler: Structure of Feathers 



249 



with their chief adherents in the case of terms not commonly used 

 as alternatives. In a few cases new terms had to be coined, or old 

 ones re-defined, but it is hoped that the terminology here used will 

 meet with the approval of other workers, and come into general 



out. V. 



pen. sir. 



aftersh 



Fi£ 



Typical contour feather. Abbreviations: aftersh., aftershaft; cal. 

 calamus; doivn. sir., downy structure; in. v., inner vane; out. U. 

 outer vane; pen. str., pennaceous structure; sh., shaft. 



use, a thing which would go a long way towards establishing sim- 

 plicity and clearness in the description of feathers and their struc- 

 tures. The terminology suggested is as follows : 



Teems op Oeientation. In speaking of a feather, or any of its structures, 

 "dorsal" and "ventral" are used as intrinsic terms, i. e., with refer- 

 ence to the feather itself, regardless of its position on the bird, dor- 

 sal meaning, therefore, the side of the feather which is usually exposed, 

 or that opposite the superior umbilicus, which is considered to be 

 upon the ventral side Lateral is used with reference to the dorso- 



