WINGS 25 



primary refers to the outer one of ten, as though we always 

 considered the number to be ten ; if there are only nine 

 primaries, the first one is absent, and the series begins with 

 the second. In other cases where there is a very short one 

 beginning the series, the first primary is called spurious. In 

 this book, which is written neither for anatomists nor orni- 

 thologists, but for beginners, no such technical use of the term 

 will be attempted. The first primary - will always refer to the 

 first apparent quill as seen from below at the outer edge of 

 the wing. The point of the wing is frequently formed by about 

 the third quill. ^ Sometimes, in what are called rounded wings,* 

 the fifth or sixth forms it, while in the pointed wings '' of the 

 swallows it is formed by the first. 



Coverts. — The feathers covering the bases of the primaries 

 usually show imperfectly if at all on the closed wing, and are 

 generally not mentioned in the descriptions of birds. The 

 coverts fastened to the forearm on the upper side are the most 

 important, and in many birds regularly form three series, as in 

 the English sparrow.* The longest are called greater coverts. 

 The next in size are called middle coverts. Each of these 

 consists usually of a single row of feathers of nearly equal 

 length. The last, called the lesser coverts, are generally small 

 feathers in several rows. One or more rows of the coverts are 

 apt to have their ends of a decidedly different color from the 

 rest of the wing; these bands of color are called luing hars.^ 

 The English sparrow has one white wing bar formed by the 

 tips of the middle coverts.' The under side of the wings has 

 under coverts, but these are rarely mentioned. 



The first primary and its length as compared with the others 

 are important points to be determined in classifying most 

 song birds. By raising the wing, if the bird is alive, or has 

 been recently killed, the first primary will be readily seen. 



