356 University of California Publications in Zoology I Vol. 13 



what different shape, as shown in figure, hooklets reduced in num- 

 ber and strength, pennulum considerably longer, ventral cilia more 

 curved and more nearly subequal, and dorsal cilia better developed, 

 short and spinelike. Proximal barbules with tapering base and 

 relatively short, stout pennulum, less than half length of base. 



Breast feathers similar to those of back in greater part of barbs, 

 but less developed, bases of barbules narrower, hooklets weaker, and 

 weaker ventral cilia. On distal third of barb, barbules (pi. 28, fig. 

 57/) have a series of highly developed flexules, less curved ventral 

 cilia also being present. These barbules are then not unlike the outer 

 barbules on barbs of breast feathers of Gavia (pi. 16, figs. 8e, 8/). 

 The distal and proximal barbules on the distal third of the barb 

 are alike except that the proximals are slightly longer. 



})) Other Types 



Many species of Charadriidae, including nearly all the genera 

 represented in Western North America, were examined, and all of 

 them were found to be extremely similar in their general feather 

 structure to that of Numenius. A barbule from the distal third 

 of a breast feather of Phalaropus fulicarius is represented in plate 

 28, figure 59a, and a comparison with figure 57e of the same plate 

 shows how similar they are, though the stouter form of the flexules 

 and less conspicuous ventral cilia of Phalaropus is reminiscent of 

 the rails. 



In Parra spinosa, or jacana, representing the Parridae, there 

 is a little modification of the charadriid type in the back feathers, 

 those on the basal half of the barb (pi. 28, fig. 58a) being slightly 

 more elongate and slender, while on the distal half flexules are 

 developed very much as in the breast feathers, but the barbule is 

 not so shortened (pi. 27, fig. 58&). 



In Oedicnemus the remiges are very much like those of Cliara- 

 driids in structure, but the breast feathers differ in that flexules 

 are very poorly if at all developed. 



Cursorius gallicus, representing the Glareolidae, seems to show 

 in its feather structure a closer likeness to the Ardeae than to the 

 Limicolae. As shown by plate 28, figures 60(7 and 5, both distal 

 and proximal barbules are decidedly like those of the herons. The 

 terminal distal barbules of the breast feathers differ widely from 

 those of all other members of this suborder as shown by plate 28, 

 figure 60(?, more closely approximating the herons or storks in the 

 short blunt barbicels. 



The Laridae, representing the second group, composed of strong- 



