GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS, 781 
of a comb, as the toes of the grouse (Fig. 62), and the middle claw in 
herons. (Fig. 37.) 
Pectoral. Relating to the breast (pectus). 
Perforate. Pierced through; said of nostrils which communicate with 
one another by reason of the absence of aseptum. (Fig. 67.) 
Pigment. Coloring-matter. 
‘Piscivorous. Feeding upon fish. 
Plumbeous. A deep bluish-gray color, like tarnished lead; lead-color. 
Postocular, Postorbital. Back of, or behind the eye. Postocular is 
most used. ; 
Powder-down Feathers. Peculiar, imperfect feathers, which grow in 
matted patches, usually on the .spaces between the true feather-tracts; 
characterized by a greasy texture and scurfy exfoliation. 
Primary. Any one of the quill feathers of the “hand-wing,” or pinion, 
usually nine to eleven in number. 
Primary coverts. The series of stiff coverts which overlie the bases of 
the primaries. 
Pteryla. An area or tract of the skin on which feathers grow. A 
“feather tract.” 
Pterylosis. The plumage, considered with reference to its distribution 
on the skin. 
Punctate. Dotted. 
Pupil. The central black (or dark blue) spot or disk of the eve, enclosed 
within the iris. 
Quill. Sometimes applied to one of the primary feathers; strictly, the 
hollow part of the shaft of a feather. 
Ramus. A branch or fork, as the ramus of the lower mandible. 
Rectrix. One of the tail-feathers. (Used chiefly in the plural, rectrices). 
Remex. Any one of the longer flight feathers. (Used mainly in the 
plural, remiges). 
Reticulate. Netted. Said of a tarsus covered with small, irregular 
plates, giving a netted effect. (Fig. 56.) 
Rictal. Pertaining to the rictus. 
Rictus. The gape; the edges and corner of the mouth. 
Rounded. A rounded tail has the central pair of feathers longest, each 
successive pair a little shorter. 
Rufous. A brownish red color; rust red. 
Rump. That part of the back lying directly in front of the upper tail- 
coverts. 
Russet. <A bright tawny-brown color, with a tinge of rusty. (Ridgway.) 
Scapular Region. The longitudinal area of feathers, usually well defined, 
overlying the shoulder blade on each side of the back. 
Scapulars. The feathers of the scapular region. 
Scutellate. Covered regularly and more or less completely with horny 
plates or shields known as scutella, or scutes. (Fig. 54.) 
Scutellum. A scute or plate. The singular of scutella. 
Secondary Coverts. The greater wing-coverts. 
Secondaries. The flight feathers of the forearm, which are borne on the 
ulna. 
Semilunar. Shaped like a half-moon. 
Semipalmate. Half-webbed; the webs between the front toes reaching 
not more than half-way to their ends. 
Serrate. Saw-toothed. 
