. 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; 1887. 320 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. â PA SSEBES â OSCINES. is scarcely or not half as long as the 1st; secondaries and their coverts also very short; all these quill-feat
. 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; 1887. 320 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. â PA SSEBES â OSCINES. is scarcely or not half as long as the 1st; secondaries and their coverts also very short; all these quill-feathers broad and stout. An acute, thin-hladed and somewhat falcate wing, of surpassing volatorial power, results from these luodifications. Tail of 12 rectrices, perhaps abnormally only 10, usually forked, or at least emarginate, and often deeply forfieate, the outermost feathers being in this latter case narrowly Hnear in shape for a considerable dis- tance. Feet short, small, and weak, Hi-adapted to secure foot-hold, and very badly formed for walk- ing. Swallows scarcely use their feet for locomo- tion, relying mainly upon their prowess of pinion. The tarsal envelope thor- oughly Osciue in struct- ure, being scutellate iu 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 nonnal number of phalanges; the basal phalanx (jf the middle digit is commonly coherent â with one or both lateral toes; the hallux is ordi- nary, and not reversible. The digits are commonly naked and scutellate, rare- ly feathered to the claws. Tlie claws are compara- tively strong, compressed, well-curved, aud acute, apt for cliugiug. The plumage is soft, smooth, and blended, most fre- quently glossy or even iridesceuf, but sometimes lustreless. Head sliort, broad, and depressed ; neck short. Mouth capa- cious, its greatest width equalling that of the head. This is a perfectly natural group,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1887
