. Key to North American birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General ornithology: an outline of the structure and classification of birds; and Field ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. Birds; Birds. 320 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEBES — 0SCINE8. is scarcely or not half as long as the ] st; secondaries and their coverts also very short; all these quill-feathers
. Key to North American birds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil bird at present known from the continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General ornithology: an outline of the structure and classification of birds; and Field ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. Birds; Birds. 320 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — PA SSEBES — 0SCINE8. is scarcely or not half as long as the ] st; secondaries and their coverts also very short; all these quill-feathers broad and stout. An acute, thin-bladed and somewhat falcate wing, of surpassing volatorial power, results from these modifications. Tail of 12 rectrices, .perhaps abnormally only 10, usually forked, or at least emarginate, and often deeply forficate, the outermost feathers being in this latter case narrowly linear in shape for a considerable dis- tance. Feet short, small, and weak, ill-adapted to secure foot-hold, and very badly fonned for walk- ing. Swallows scarcely use their feet for locomo- tion, relying mainly upon their prowess of pinion. The tarsal envelope thor-; oughly Oscine in struct- ure, being scutellate in front and laminate behind; it is sometimes partially, or almost entirely, feath- ered ; the tarsi are com- monly shorter than the lateral toes. The digits possess the normal number of phalanges; the basal phalanx of the middle digit is commonly coherent with one or both lateral toes; the hallux is ordi- nary, and not reversible. The digits are commonly naked and scutellat^, rare- ly feathered to the claws. The claws are compara- tively strong, compressed, well-curved, and acute, apt for clinging. The plumage is soft, smootb, and blended, most fre- quently glossy or even iridescent, but sometimes lustreless. Head short, broad, and depressed; neck short. Mouth capa- cious, its greatest width equalling that of the head. Tills is a perfectly natural group, well
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1894
