APPENDIX. 
411 
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE PRECEDING 
DESCRIPTIONS. 
[These definitions are compiled from Robert Ridg-way’s Nomenclature of Colors, and Dr. 
Elliot Coues’ * Glossary.] 
A. 
Ab'domen. — Belly; under surface of body from breast-bone to vent; bounded 
laterally by the sides, posteriorly by the vent or anal region and anteriorly by 
the breast. 
Abdo'minal. — Pertaining to the abdomen. 
Aber'rant. — Deviating from the usual character. 
Acces'sory. — Joined to another thing ; additional (as an accessory plume). 
Accip'itres. — Plural of Accipiter ; also the name of a more or less artificial group 
of birds, including the so-called “ Birds of Prey ” or Raptores of some authors. 
Accip'itriiie. — Hawk-like. 
Aeii'miiiate. — Tapering gradually to a point. 
Acute'. — Sharp-pointed. 
Adult', — Grown to full size ; mature (a bird may be adult as regards organization 
without being of adult plumage). 
Af'ter-shaft. — Properly, the stem of the supplementary plume springing from near 
the base of some feathers ; ordinarily, however, applied to the plume itself. 
Al'ar. — Pertaining to the wings. 
Aliinen'tary. — Pertaining to the digestive organs. 
Al'trices. — Birds reared in the nest and fed by the parents. With the exception of 
the Raptores^ some of the Steganopodes and Pygopodes, tlie Longipennes and 
Sphenisci., the young of the Altrices are born naked, or only partly clad. 
Alu'Ia. — “Bastard-wing;” spurious-wing composed of several stiff feathers grow- 
ing on the so-called thumb. They are situated directly below the secondary 
or greater coverts, and collectively resemble a little wing. 
A'lial. — Pertaining to the anus. 
A'lial region. — The feathers immediately surrounding the anus. 
An'nular. — Ringed. 
Ano'malous. — Very strange or unusual. 
An'serine. — Goose-like. 
An'te. — Anterior to, or before ; as anteorbital, anteocular, etc. 
Ante'rior. — Forward ; in front of. 
Antrorse. — Directed forward, as the nasal tufts of most jays and crows, and the 
rectal bristles of many birds. 
A' nus.— Outlet of refuse of digestion. In birds the same orifice discharges the pro- 
ducts of the genito-urinary organs. 
A'pex. — Tip or point of anything. 
Aquat'ic. — Pertaining to the water ; said of birds frequenting water, and thence 
drawing subsistence. 
Arbo ' real. — Tr ee-i nhabiting. 
Ash or Ash'y. — Pale gray. 
Atten'uate. — Tapering or gradually growing narrower toward the extremity, but 
not necessarily pointed or acuminate. 
Auric'ular. — Pertaining to the ear. 
Auric'ulars. — Ear-coverts. The (usually) well-defined feathered area which con- 
ceals the ears in birds. 
* Hist. N. Am. B, Vol. Ill, pp. 535-560. 
