HOW TO MEASUEE A BIED. 49 



size and shape that I find most convenient for general pur- 

 poses; while the "legend" illustrates every one of the twelve 

 items above specified. 



J Explorations in Dakota. Dr. Elliott Cones, U.S.A. w 



a 



J Ko. 2655. Bntes borealis (Gm.) V. $ juy. 

 I Fort KaudaU, Mo. K. — Oct. 29, 1872. 



Obverse. 



23.00 X 53-00 X 17,50. — Eyes yeUowieli gray; bill horn-blue, 

 darker at tip; cere wax-yellow; tarsi dull yellowish; clawg 

 bluish-black. Stomach contained portions of a rabbit; also, a 

 large tapeworm. . 



Eeverse. 



§30. Directions for measckement may be inserted here, 

 as this matter pertains rightfully to the recording of specimens. 

 The following instructions are repeated in substance from the 

 "Key," p. 55 ; they apply not only to length and extent, but 

 to the principal other dimensions, which may be taken at any 

 time. For large birds a tape-line showing inches and fourths 

 will do ; for smaller ones, a foot-rule graduated for inches and 

 eighths, or better, decimals to hundredths, must be used ; and 

 for all nice measurements the dividers are indispensable. — 

 ^ ^ Length :" Distance between the tip of the bill and end of the 

 longest tail feather. Lay the bird on its back on the ruler on 

 a table ; take hold of the bill with one hand and of both legs 

 with the other ; pull with reasonable force to get the curve all 

 out of the neck ; hold the bird thus with the tip of the bill 

 flush with one end of the ruler, and see where the end of the 

 tail points. Put the tape-line in place of the ruler, in the 

 same way, for larger birds. — ^'■Extent:" Distance between 

 the tips of the outspread wings. They must be fully out- 

 stretched, with the bird on its back, crosswise on the ruler, its 

 bill pointing to your breast. Take hold of right and left meta- 

 carpus with -the thumb and forefinger of your left and right 



