122 ORNITHOLOGY ;— GLOSS ARY. 



Plover. — From the Latin, pluvia, \ Proventricolus. — From the Latin, 

 rain. A bird so called, from makinor pro, before, and ventriculus, a little 



its appearance in the rainy season, j stomach. The second stomach of 



Plumage, — From the Latin, pluma, ; birds. 



a soft feather. The feathery coat Psittacus. — From the Greek, psitta- 

 of a bird, ; kos, a Parrot Systematic name of 



Plume. — Feather of a bird. 1 Parrots. 



PoDicEPs. — The Generic name of the j Psophia.— From the Greek, psophia^ 

 Grebes. \ I make a noise. Systematic name 



Polygamous — From the Greek, poZ«s, j of the Trumpeters. 



many, and gamos, marriage. VVhen > Pulverator. — From the Latin, put' 

 animals do not live in pairs, but on \ rerare, to cover with dust. Ap- 

 the contrary, an individualis united > plied to those birds that wallow ia 

 to several of the opposite sex, they J the dust 

 are said to be polygamous. k Pygargus. — From the Greek, puge^ 



PoLYGLOTTus. — From the Greek, ; behind, and argos, white. A bird 

 po?us, many, and glossa, tongue. \ of prey with a white tail. 

 Many-tongued. Specific name of ' Pylorus. — From the Greek, pule, a 

 the Mocking bird. \ gate, and ouros, a guardian. The 



Pratensis. — Latin. Belonging or I lower, or right orifice of the 

 relating to a meadow. ^ stomach. 



Prehensile. — Endowed with the ] Pyrgita. — Genericnameof the Spar- 

 power of seizing hold of Applied { rows, 

 to certain part?. \ Pyrrhula. — Generic name of the 



Prehexsiox. — From the Latin, pre- t Bullfinches. 



hendere, to lay hold of. The pre- ; Qdiscalus. — Generic name of the 

 hension of aliments consists in lay- ^ Blackbirds. 



ing hold of, and conveying food j Radius. — Latin. A spoke — so called 

 into the mouth. < from its shape — one of the bones 



Pressirostres. — From the Latin, ; of the fore-arm. 



pressiis, pressed, and rostrum, beak. ( Rallus. — Generic name of the Rails. 

 Systematic name of a family of' Ramphastos. — From the Greek, ram- 

 Grallatoriae. > phos, a beak. Generic name of 



Prey. — Food gotten by violence. | the Toucans. 



Prlmaries, (Primary quills.) — The I Rapaces. — From the Latin, rapax, 

 largest feathers of the wings. I ravenous, devouring. Systematic 



Procellaria. — From tlie Latin, pro- \ name of the order of birds of prey. 

 cella, a great tempest at sea. Sys- < Retrices. — From the Latin, recirix, 

 tematic name of the Petrels. \ a governess. The long feathers of 



Prognostic. — From the Greek, pro, \ thetail which serve to steer the bird, 

 before, and ginosko, I know, I \ Recurvirostra. — From the Latin, 

 judge. A conjecture or opinion of < recurto, I bend back, and rostrum, 

 what is yet to happen. < beak. Systematic name of birds 



Projectile. — From the Latin, pro. I whose beaks are curved upwards. 

 jicere, to throw in advance, or to a ; Regimen — Diet 

 distance. Any heavy body thrown > Regulus. — Latin. Diminutive of rejr, 

 into the air, and abandoned to the ; a king. A Wren, 

 action of its own weight That \ Regurgitate. — The return of food to 

 which is capable of being cast or \ the moutli after it has been once 

 thrown forward. Having the power | swallowed, 

 of sudden extension. ;- Religiosa. — Latin. Religious. 



Protractile. — Capable of being j Remiges.— The strong feathers of the 

 drawn out, or extended. ' wings. 



