HOW TO MEASURE A BIRD. 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. 


Explorations in Dakota. Dr. Elliott Coues, U.S.A. 
No. 2655. Butes borealis (Gm.) V. Q juv. 

Smithsonian 
“MOLJNITSUT 
Fort Randall, Mo. R.— Oct. 29, 1872. 

Obverse. 


23.00 & 53.00 & 17.50.— Eyes yellowish gray; bill horn-blue, 
darker at tip; cere wax-yellow; tarsi dull yellowish; claws 
| bluish-black. Stomach contained portions of a rabbit; also, a 
large tapeworm. 


Reverse. 
§30. DIRECTIONS FOR MEASUREMENT 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.— ‘‘Hatent:” 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 
MANUAL. 4 
