GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS. 91 
Melanism (L. melanis'mus), n. A peculiar state of coloration resulting 
from excess of black or dark pigment. The normal colors of the 
plumage are replaced by a more or less continuous black or dusky 
color. The opposite extreme of color from albinism, and of frequent 
occurrence in the family Falconidce. 
Melanis'tic (L. melanis'ticus) , ) a Affected ^ melanism< 
Melanot ic, ) 
Mem'brane (L. mem'brana), n. A thin, flexible integument or skin, as the 
webs between the toes of ducks, etc. 
Membraneous, a. Of a soft skinny nature, as the soft skin about the 
base of the bill of pigeons, the webs between the toes in ducks, etc. 
Mental (L. menta'lis), a. Pertaining to the chin, or nientum. 
Men'tal A'pex (L. an'gulus mentalis), n. The extreme anterior point 
of the chin. (Plate XII. fig. 4.) 
Men'tum (L.), n. The chin, or anterior part of the space between the 
rhami of the lower jaw. 
Me'sial, a. Along the middle line. (Same as medial.) 
Meso- (in composition) . Middle; median. 
Mesorhin / al (L. mesorhi'nus), a. Situated between the nostrils. 
Metacarpal (L. metacarpal is), a. Pertaining to the hand, or metacarpus. 
Metacar'pus (L.), n. The hand, exclusive of the fingers; the segment 
of the wing between the carpus and digits. 
Metagnath'ous (L. metagna'thus) , a. Cross-billed, with the points of 
the maxilla and mandible crossing on the right and left. 
Metallic (L. metaVlicus), a. As applied to colors having a brilliant 
appearance, like burnished metal. 
Metatarsal, a. Pertaining to the metatarsus. 
Metatarsus (L.), n. That portion of the leg of birds which in descrip- 
tive Ornithology is called the tarsus; or that portion, usually unfeath- 
ered, which extends from the toes to the so-called " knee " (that is, the 
heel). 
Mid'dle Toe,n. The middle one of the three anterior toes. It is usually 
4-jointed, and longer than the lateral toes. In numerical order it is 
the third, the hind toe, or hallux, being the first, and the inner toe 
the second. In zygodactylous birds it corresponds to the outer anterior 
toe, the fourth toe being reversed. (Plate XI.) 
(L. tec' trices a'loz me' dice; tec' trices a'lce per- 
versa?,), n. The series of coverts, usually 
in a single transverse row, situated between 
the lesser and greater, or secondary coverts. 
They usually overlap one another in the 
reverse manner from the other coverts, the 
inner or upper edge being the one exposed. 
(Plate XI.) 
Migration (L. migra'tio), n. Periodical change of abode, influenced 
chiefly by seasonal changes in climate, in which case the migration 
Mid'dle Cov'erts, 
Mid'dle Wing-cov'erts 
Me/dian Cov'erts. 
