GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN DESCRIPTIVE ORNITHOLOGY.
Including a number of prominent Anatomical and Physiological Terms.
(Prepared by Dr. Coues.)
Note.—The number in parenthesis refers to the foregoing “Explanation of Terms,” etc. The sign (´) marks accent; n., noun; a., adjective; pl., plural; gen., genitive.
A.
Abdo´men or Ab´domen, n. Belly; part of gastræum between sternum and anus. (63.)
Abdom´inal, a. Pertaining to the belly.
Abduc´tion, n. Act of carrying a limb away from the axis of the body. Opposed to adduction. Muscles so acting are abductors.
Aber´rant, a. Deviating from ordinary character.
Abnor´mal, a. Of highly unusual, extraordinary character; deformed; monstrous.
Abor´tive, a. Suppressed; remaining or becoming imperfect. The nostrils of the cormorant are abortive.
Acar´ides, n. pl. Certain external parasites.
Accip´itrine, a. Hawk-like; belonging to Accipitres.
Acclimatiza´tion, n. Naturalization, with reference to the effect of a new country upon the economy.
Acetab´ulum, n. Pelvic cavity for reception of head of femur.
Achil´lis (tendo), n. Tendon of principal extensor muscle of foot.
Acic´ular, a. Needle-shaped; sharp and very slender.
Acrodac´tylum, n. Top of toes collectively. (117.) (Little used.)
Acro´mion, n. Process of the scapula.
Acropo´dium, n. Entire upper surface of foot. (113.) (Little used.)
Acrotar´sium, n. Front of tarsus, corresponding to the human instep. (104.) (Little used).
Acu´minate, a. Tapering gradually to a point.
Acute´, a. Sharp-pointed.
Ad- (in composition). To; towards.
Adduc´tion, n. Act of drawing a limb toward axis of body. Muscles so acting are adductors. Compare Abduction.
Ad´enoid, a. Glandular; glandiform.
Ad´ipose (tissue), a. for n. Cellular tissue holding fat in special vesicles.
Adoles´cence, n. Youth.
Adre´nal (body), a. for n. A small organ capping the kidney.
Adult´, a. or n. Grown to full size; mature.
Ægithognath´ous, a. Having the palate bones disposed as in a sparrow or other passerine bird.
Af´ferent, a. Bringing to or towards. Opposed to efferent.
Affined´, a. Joined or related by affinity.
Affin´ity, n. Quality of direct relation; conformity; agreement. Morphological affinity implies relationship by genetic descent; teleological affinity cannot be properly predicated.
Af´ter-shaft, n. Scape or stem of the supplementary plume springing from many feathers, or, oftener, such plume itself.
Al´a, n.; pl. alæ. Wing; the anterior limb of birds. (73.)
A´lar, a. Pertaining to the wings.
Alat´us, a. Winged.
Al´binism, n. State of whiteness, complete or partial, resulting from deficiency or entire lack of pigment in the skin and its appendages.
Albi´no, n. An animal affected with albinism.
Albinot´ic, a. Affected with albinism.
Albu´men, n. Transparent glairy fluid of which white of egg mainly consists.
Albu´minous, a. Containing or consisting of albumen.
Alimen´tary, a. Pertaining to the digestive organs or nutritive function.
Alisphe´noid, n. “Wing,” or expanded part of sphenoid bone.
Allanto´is, n. A certain organ of the embryo.
Al´lex, n. Same as Hallux (which see).
Al´trices, n. pl. Birds reared in the nest and fed by the parents.
Altric´ial, a. Having the nature of Altrices.
Al´ula, n. Literally, little wing. The bastard wing, composed of the feathers that are set on the so-called thumb.
Al´ular, a. Pertaining to the bastard wing.
Alve´olus, n. Socket, particularly of a tooth.
Al´vine, a. Pertaining to the lower belly (said chiefly of intestinal discharges).
Am´bulatory, a. Same as Gradient (which see).
Am´nion, n. A certain organ of the embryo.
Amo´tus, a. Denoting the hind toe so elevated and short that the tip does not touch the ground. (132.)
Amphiarthro´dial, a. Denoting a sliding joint, or one capable of mixed movement.
Amphicœl´ian, a. Said of a vertebra when both ends of its centrum are cupped. Corresponding terms are procœlian, cupped in front, and opisthocœlian, cupped behind.
Ampul´la, n. A certain cavity of the inner ear.
A´nal, a. Pertaining to the anus; situated about the anus.
Analog´ical, a. Having analogy; related by analogy.
Anal´ogy, n. Quality of likeness in certain (generally superficial or inconsiderable) respects, between things essentially unlike. There may be analogy entirely without homology, as between the wing of a bird and of a butterfly.
Anastomo´sis, n. Inosculation or intercommunication of two or more vessels.
An´atine, a. Duck-like.
Anchylo´sis or Ankylo´sis, n. Restriction or loss of motion in a naturally movable joint; also, any coössification.
An´conal, a. Pertaining to the elbow.
Angle of Chin = Angulus Menti. (23.)
Angle of Mouth = Angulus Oris. (27.)
An´gulus O´ris, n. Corner of the mouth; equivalent to commissural point.
An´notine, n. A bird one year old, or which has once moulted.
An´nular, a. Ringed.
An´nulus, n. Ring.
Anom´alous, a. Extremely irregular; very strange or unusual; contrary to natural order (nearly synonymous with abnormal).
An´serine, a. Pertaining to the Anseres; goose-like.
An´te- (in composition). Before; as, anteocular, anteorbital, etc.
Anterior, a. Forward; in front of.
Anterior Portion. (7.) See Stethiæum.
Anterior Toes. (124.)
An´ti- (in composition). Against.
An´tiæ, n. pl. Frontal points; projections of feathers on either side of base of culmen. (36.)
Antibrach´ium, n. Cubit or forearm.
A´nus, n. Outlet of refuse of digestion. In birds, the same orifice discharges the products of the genito-urinary organs.
Aor´ta, n. The first great artery, immediately issuing from the left ventricle of the heart.
Aor´tic, a. Pertaining to the aorta.
Apertu´ra, n. An opening; as, apertura auris, ear-opening.
A´pex, n.; pl. apices. Tip or point of anything.
Apohy´al, a. A portion of the “horn” of the hyoid bone.
Aponeuro´sis, n. Broad, strong, fibrous membrane or band; fascia.
Apoph´ysis, n. Any natural bony prominence of notable size.
Apposed´, a. Mutually fitted, adapted; set over against; meeting closely and exactly. The tomia of the bill are usually apposed.
Apte´rium, n.; pl. apteria. Tract of skin where no feathers grow. Compare Pteryla.
Aquat´ic, a. Pertaining to the water; said of birds frequenting water, and thence drawing subsistence.
A´queous, a. Watery. Said of the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye. See Vitreous.
Aq´uiline, a. Eagle-like; belonging to the Aquilinæ.
Arach´noid, n. One of the three enveloping membranes of the brain, between the dura mater and the pia mater.
Arbor´icole, a. Tree-inhabiting.
Arch´etype, n. Original plan or idea of structure, modified or lost by subsequent specialization.
Archetyp´ical, a. Having the primitive pattern or original plan of structure.
Arc´uate, a. Bow-shaped; bent regularly and gradually.
Are´ola, n.; pl. areolæ. Small naked space on the feet between scales.
Are´olar Tissue. The light cellular connective tissue of the body.
Armil´la, n. Ring of color, like a bracelet, around lower end of crus.
Arm´pit, n. (78.) See Axilla.
Arte´rial, a. Pertaining to arteries; as, arterial system, arterial blood.
Ar´tery, n. Vessel conveying blood from the heart.
Articula´tion, n. A joining together; joint.
Artic´ulus, n. Joint of a finger or toe (commonly used to signify the hinge itself, but better to designate any one of the segments joined by articulation).
Artifi´cial, a. Elaborate; skilfully or artfully contrived. Some birds build highly artificial nests. Also, arbitrary; as, an artificial classification, more or less at variance with that which a natural system may be.
Ar´tus, n.; pl. artus. Any member, limb.
Aryt´enoid, a. Denoting certain ossicles of the larynx.
Ascar´ides, n. pl. Certain intestinal parasites.
Ash or Ash´y, a. Pale gray.
Aster´nal (ribs), a. Denoting “floating” ribs; those not joining the sternum.
Astrag´alus, n. One of two proximal tarsal bones of birds, early confluent with the tibia.
Asymmet´rical, a. Uneven; disproportionate as to opposite, as right and left, parts.
Asym´metry, n. Disproportion of duplicate parts or organs, or of those which are repeated on opposite sides of a plane or axis.
At´avism, n. Reversion, or tendency to revert, to characters of ancestral stock.
At´las, n. First cervical vertebra, articulating with the occipital bone.
Atres´ia, n. Closure.
At´rophy, n. See Hypertrophy.
Atten´uate, a. Growing gradually slenderer toward an extremity; or, narrowly produced for a long distance; in neither case necessarily sharp-pointed, which would be rather acuminate.
Attyp´ical, a. Of particular character acquired in specialization from a common type.
Auche´nium, n. Lower back part of neck; the scruff. (50.) (Little used.)
Au´ral or Auric´ular, a. Pertaining to the ear.
Au´ricle, n. The external ear; wanting or imperfect in birds. Also, cavity (right and left) of the heart receiving blood from the system and lungs; also called atrium.
Auric´ulars, n. pl. Peculiar feathers overlying the ear-opening.
Autoch´thonous, a. Indigenous.
Autog´enous, a. Literally, self-producing. In homology, developing from distinct and independent centres. Opposed to exogenous.
Au´topsy, n. Personal observation or examination.
Autop´tical, a. Personally inspected.
Autum´nal Plum´age. That ensuing from the first moult, if any, or prior to the spring moult, from which it is different in many birds.
A´viary, n. Place where birds are kept captive.
Avic´ula, n. Little bird; hence, nestling, fledgling, or any ungrown bird.
Avicul´ture, n. Care of birds.
A´vis, n.; pl. aves. Bird.
Axil´la, n. Armpit; hollow beneath the shoulder. (78.)
Ax´illar or Ax´illary, a. Pertaining to the armpit.
Ax´illaries, n. pl. Lengthened or otherwise distinguished feathers growing from the axillary region. (81.)
Ax´is, n. Second cervical vertebra. Also, an imaginary line passing along the middle of any one of the three mutually perpendicular planes of the body, the longitudinal, vertical, and transverse. Also, a pivot.
A´zygos, a. Single, in the sense of not paired.
B.
Back, n. Upper surface of body proper, corresponding to dorsal and sacral vertebræ. Includes Interscapilium and Tergum (which see). (57.)
Back of Neck. Cervical region. Includes Nucha and Cervix (which see). Equivalent to hind-neck. (48.)
Back of Tar´sus. Hinder edge and hinder half, on each side, of tarsus. See Planta. Homologically the sole. (106.)
Band or Bar. Any crosswise color-mark, transverse to long axis of the body.
Band´ed or Barred, a. Marked crosswise.
Barb, n. Any one of the laminæ composing the vane of a feather.
Bar´ba, n. Beard. Lengthened or otherwise distinguished feathers of chin or throat.
Barbat´us, a. Bearded.
Bar´bicel, n. Barb of a barbule, not hooked. Compare Hamulus.
Bar´bule, n. Barb of a barb. (148.)
Ba´sal, a. Pertaining to the base; situate at the base.
Base, Ba´sis, n. Bottom; root; origin.
Basihy´oid, n. Central tongue-bone.
Basioccip´ital, n. Basal element of the occipital bone; centrum of hindermost cranial vertebra.
Basipter´ygoid, n. A boss or protuberance of the base of the sphenoid bone, often movably abutting against the pterygoid bone.
Basisphe´noid, n. Basal element of sphenoid bone; centrum of second cranial vertebra.
Beak, n. Bill. See Rostrum. (9.)
Bel´ly, n. See Abdomen. (65.)
Belt, n. Bar or band of color more or less completely encircling the body.
Bend of Wing. Angle or prominence formed at carpus in the folded wing.
Bev´elled, a. Having two plane surfaces meeting obliquely.
Bev´y, n. Flock of quail.
Bi- (in composition). Twice; double.
Bibliog´raphy, n. History or other account of the literature of the subject.
Bi´ceps, n. Principal flexor muscle of forearm.
Bi´nary, a. Double, in sense of compounded of two.
Bino´mial, a. Of two terms. Also, noting a system of nomenclature in which each object has two names, generic and specific. This is the generally adopted system at present.
Biol´ogy, n. The study of living beings, as to the laws and results of organization. It is more comprehensive than physiology.
Biotax´y, n. Equivalent to taxonomy.
Biven´ter, n. Name of a double-bellied muscle of the neck.
Blas´toderm, n. Superficies of the early embryo.
Boat-shaped (tail), a. Having plane of each side of tail meeting the other obliquely, making a re-entrance above and keel below.
Boot, n. The tarsal envelope when entire.
Boot´ed (tarsus), a. Having the tarsal envelope entire, i.e. undivided in most or all of its extent, by fusion of the usual scales or plates. (111.)
Bo´real, a. Northern.
Boss, n. Stud; knob; protuberance; short stout process.
Brach´ial, a. Pertaining to the wing.
Brachyp´terous, a. Short-winged.
Brachyu´rous, a. Short-tailed.
Breast, n. (62.) See Pectus.
Bris´tle, n. Small stiff hair-like feather, especially about the mouth or eyes. Compare Vibrissa.
Bron´chial, a. Pertaining to the bronchi.
Bron´chus, n.; pl. bronchi. Fork or branch of the windpipe below, leading to either lung.
Buc´cal, a. Pertaining to the cheeks internally.
Buff, Buffy; a. Pale brownish-yellow; color of yellow buckskin.
C.
Cadu´cous, a. Falling off early.
Cæ´cal, a. Pertaining to the cæca.
Cæ´cum, n.; pl. cæca. (Pronounced see´cum.) Intestinal cul-de-sac at junction of smaller and larger intestines, usually present paired in birds; sometimes a foot long. (Also written cœcum, cœca.)
Cal´amus, n. Quill; the dry, hard, horny portion of the stem of a feather below the web, hollow or partly pithy, and translucent. Calamus + rhachis = scapus. (145.)
Calca´neal, a. Pertaining to the back upper portion of the tarso-metatarsus (tarsus of ordinary language).
Calca´neum, n. Heel; back upper part of tarso-metatarsus. Same as talus. (107.) One of the tibial condyles is by some regarded as the homologue of the calcaneum.
Cal´car, n. Spur; sharp horn-covered bone-cored process on the shank of many birds; also, similar horny process on the metacarpal bone.
Calcarat´us, a. Spurred.
Calca´reous, a. Chalky. A cormorant’s egg is covered with calcareous substance.
Calcif´ic, a. Calcifying; an epithet of that portion of the oviduct where the egg-shell is formed.
Calig´ula, n. Same as Boot (which see).
Cal´lus, n. New bony matter joining a fracture.
Calypte´ria, n. pl. Tail-coverts; the smaller feathers underlying or overlying the base of the tail. (Little used.) See Crissum and Tectrices Caudæ. (71.)
Ca´lyx, n. Pedicellated ovarian capsule of two membranes with lax tissue and vessels, rupturing at a point called the stigma to discharge the ovum, then collapsing and becoming absorbed.
Campte´rium, n. Front and outer border of wing as far as the bone extends. (Little used.) (95.)
Canalic´ulum, n. Little groove.
Can´cellated, a. Denoting bony network.
Can´thus, n.; pl. canthi. Corner of eye where the lids meet; commissural point of eyelids. Canthi are anterior and posterior.
Cap, n. Pileus (which see). (30.)
Cap´illary, a. or n. Of hair-like slenderness. The smallest bloodvessels are the capillaries.
Capis´trate, a. Hooded or cowled.
Capis´trum, n. Hood or cowl; front of head all around bill. (38.)
Cap´itate, a. Said of a feather having enlarged extremity.
Capit´ulum, n. Head of a rib.
Cap´sular, a. Denoting certain ligaments that completely invest a joint.
Ca´put, n.; gen. capitis, pl. capita. Head. (9, 29.)
Car´diac, a. Pertaining to the heart.
Cari´na, n. Keel; under ridge, as if a keel.
Car´inate, a. Keeled; ridged beneath as if keeled; having a keel, as the sternum of most birds.
Car´inate (birds), n. Those possessing a keeled sternum; the group Carinatæ as contrasted with Ratitæ.
Car´neous, a. Fleshy.
Carniv´orous, a. Flesh-eating.
Carot´id (artery), a. for n. The principal bloodvessel of the neck, single in most birds, sometimes paired as in mammalia.
Car´pal, a. Pertaining to the wrist.
Car´pal An´gle, n. Prominence formed at the wrist-joint when the wing is closed. It is practically an important point regionally, since the universally used measurement, “length of wing,” is from this point to the end of the longest quill.
Car´pus, n. The wrist; especially its bones.
Car´tilage, n. A whitish, hard, and solid, but elastic, flexible, and soluble, substance of the body, permanent, or becoming osseous by deposition of bone-earth. It occurs in the windpipe, in many joints, and elsewhere.
Cartilag´inous, a. Like, containing, or consisting of, cartilage.
Car´uncle, n. Small fleshy excrescence, particularly about the head, usually naked, and wrinkled, warty, or brightly colored.
Carun´culate, a. Having caruncles.
Cau´da, n. The tail. (69.) In descriptive ornithology, generally only the tail-feathers are meant. Cauda navicularis = Boat-shaped Tail (which see).
Cau´dad. Backwards; toward the tail.
Cau´dal, a. Pertaining to the tail; as, caudal vertebræ, or caudal extremity; but we hardly say caudal feathers.
Cell, n. Any closed sac containing fluid or other substance.
Cel´lular, a. Having cells; composed of cells.
Cen´tre of Grav´ity, n. Point of a body about which the whole is balanced, and which, if supported, supports the whole. In a flying bird the centre of gravity is below the middle of the body, so that the bird is naturally ballasted.
Cen´trum, n.; pl. centra. Body of a vertebra.
Ceph´alad. Forwards; towards the head.
Cephal´ic, a. Pertaining to the head.
Cephalo-cer´cal (axis), a. Denoting the long axis of the body.
Ce´ra, Cere, Cero´ma, n. Fleshy, cutaneous or membranous, often feathered, covering of base of bill of many birds, as parrots, hawks, and owls; differing thus in texture from the rest of the rhamphotheca, and usually also showing an evident line of demarcation. When present, the nostrils are always pierced in its substance,—at least at its edge.
Ceratohy´al, n. A portion of the “horn” of the hyoid bone.
Cer´cal, a. Pertaining to the tail. (Little used.)
Cerebel´lar, a. Pertaining to the cerebellum.
Cerebel´lum, n. Little brain; the hinder, lower, smaller mass of the brain, in birds striate transversely.
Cer´ebral, a. Pertaining to the brain.
Cer´ebro-spinal (axis or column). The whole neural axis, or column of nerve-substance enclosed in the spinal canal and cranium.
Cer´ebrum, n. Brain proper, or larger brain, as distinguished from the cerebellum.
Ceru´men, n. Ear-wax.
Cer´vical, a. Pertaining to the hind-neck; as, a cervical collar. Also, pertaining to the whole neck; as, cervical vertebræ.
Cer´vix, n. Hind-neck; from occiput to interscapulium, including nape and scruff. (48.)
Chalaz´æ, n. pl. Twisted filaments of condensed albumen forming a thread at each pole of the yolk, steadying it by attachment to the lining membrane of the egg, and balancing it in such manner that the “tread” stays uppermost.
Chalazif´erous, a. Denoting the layers of condensed albumen which form the chalazæ.
Char´acter, n. Any material attribute susceptible of definition for use in description and classification. Also, a sum of such attributes; as, of passerine character.
Chas´ma, n. Decussation of the optic nerve.
Cheek, n. Outside of base of lower jaw; also, the corresponding region of upper jaw. Compare Genæ and Malar Region. (26.) (The term is differently employed by various writers, and is at best not definite.)
Chin, n. Space between forks of lower jaw; upper throat. See Mentum. (46.)
Cho´roid, n. Vascular black membrane of the eye, between retina and sclerotic. Choroid plexus, a certain fold of the pia mater.
Chyle, n. A certain intestinal fluid resulting from digestion.
Chyme, n. A certain product of incompleted digestion.
Cicatric´ula, n. Dark spot on the surface of a fecundated yolk. See Yolk.
Cil´iated, a. Bristly; furnished with bristles, or small bristle-like feathers; fringed.
Cil´ium, n.; pl. cilia. Bristly or hair-like feather, about the mouth and eyes especially. See Vibrissa and Seta.
Cine´reous, a. Of an ashy color.
Circum- (in composition). Around; about: as, circumanal, circumorbital, circumaural,—around the anus, orbit, ear, etc.
Circumduc´tion, n. Movement of a limb by which, if completed, a cone is described.
Cirrh´ous, a. Tufted.
Class, n. Fundamental division of animals: the class of Birds; the class Aves.
Classifica´tion, n. Systematic arrangement.
Clav´icle, n. Collar-bone. In birds, the two clavicles usually unite to form the furculum, merry-thought or wish-bone.
Clavic´ular, a. Pertaining to the clavicles.
Claw, n. (121.)
Claw-joint, n. (122.) See Rhizonychium.
Clit´oris, n. Erectile venereal organ of the female, homologue of the male penis, present in some birds.
Cloa´ca, n. Enlarged lower end of straight gut, receptacle of products of genito-urinary system and refuse of digestion.
Clutch, n. Nest-complement of eggs.
Cne´mial, a. Pertaining to the crus or shin. Equivalent to crural.
Cnemid´ium, n. End of crus, naked in most wading birds.
Coccyge´al, a. Pertaining to the tail, especially to its bones; synonymous with caudal.
Coc´cyx, n. The tail, as to its bones collectively. Os coccygis. Any one of the tail-bones, or coccygeal vertebræ.
Coch´lea, n. A certain portion of the inner ear.
Cœ´cum, n.; pl. cœca. See Cæcum.
Cœ´liac, a. Pertaining to certain of the abdominal viscera. Little used, excepting as the name of a certain artery, the cœliac axis.
Coi´tus, n. Sexual intercourse.
Col´lar, n. Ring of color around neck. See Torques. (55.)
Col´lum, n. Neck; part of body between and connecting head and trunk. (47.)
Colora´tion, n. Coloring; pattern or mode of coloring, or the colors collectively.
Columel´la, n. Bone or cartilage of the inner ear of Sauropsida, answering to the stapes of mammalia.
Comb, n. Erect fleshy lengthwise process, or caruncle, on top of head, as in the domestic cock.
Commis´sural Point. Point where the apposed edges of the mandibles meet and join; corner of the mouth. Equivalent to angle of the mouth, angulus oris.
Com´missure, n. (Lat. con and mitto, to put or lay together.) Line of closure of the two mandibles; track or trace of their apposed edges when the jaws are closed. Often improperly used to signify the opening between the mandibles; but this is apertura oris, gape, rictus. Commissure is the whole rima oris, outline of the mouth, when such outline of upper and under jaw is made one in closure of the mouth.
Complex´us, n. Name of a certain cervical muscle.
Compressed´, a. Narrowed sidewise; higher than wide. The opposite of depressed.
Compressed´ (tail), a. Folded together, as in the barnyard cock. = Cauda compressa.
Cona´rium, n. Same as Pineal Body (which see).
Con´cave, a. Hollowed, as the inner side of a curved line or inner face of a curved surface. Opposite of convex.
Con´dyle, n. Articular eminence of bone in hinge-joints.
Con´fluent, a. Run together; grown together; coalesced.
Coniros´tral, a. Having a conical bill, like a sparrow’s.
Conjuncti´va, n. Vascular membrane lining the eyelids and reflected over the front of the eyeball.
Con´nate, a. Born or produced together; originally united; joined from the beginning. Connation is earlier and more intimate or complete union than confluence.
Continu´ity, n. Part of a thing between its ends in any way distinguished.
Con´tour Feath´ers, n. The general plumage of perfect feathers, lying external and determining the superficial shape of a bird. Distinguished from down feathers.
Cor´acoid (bone), n. Large stout bone connecting shoulder with sternum.
Cor´date, Cor´diform, a. Heart-shaped.
Coria´ceous, a. Denoting integument of dense, tough, leathery texture.
Co´rium, n. Same as Cutis (which see).
Cor´nea, n. Transparent portion of the eyeball.
Cor´neous, a. Horny.
Cor´niplume, a. Tuft of feathers on head, erected like a horn.
Cor´nu, n. Horn.
Coro´na, n. Top of head. Equivalent to cap or pileus. Vertex is the highest point of corona.
Cor´onate, a. Having coronal feathers lengthened or otherwise distinguished.
Cor´pus, n. Body, as a whole.
Cor´pus Callo´sum, n. Mass of transverse white fibres, connecting the cerebral hemispheres; wanting in birds.
Cor´tical, a. External, as opposed to medullary.
Cos´tal, a. Pertaining to the ribs.
Costif´erous, a. Rib-bearing, as the dorsal vertebræ.
Cot´yle, n. Same as Acetabulum.
Cox´a, n. Hip.
Cra´nial, a. Pertaining to the skull.
Cra´nium, n. Skull.
Crest, Cris´ta, n. Any lengthened feathers of top or sides of head.
Crib´riform, a. Sieve-like.
Cri´coid, a. Name of a certain laryngeal cartilage.
Cris´sum, n. Properly, the under tail-coverts collectively. Oftener used to designate the circumanal plumage. (66.)
Cro´taphyte (depression). A concavity on the outside of the skull on each side behind, filled with muscle; temporal fossa.
Crown, n. Pileus; top of head, especially the vertex.
Cru´cial, Cru´ciform, a. In the shape of a cross. The crucial test is one experimentally conclusive.
Cruræ´us, n. Name of a certain muscle of the thigh.
Cru´ral, a. Pertaining to the crus, or shin.
Crus, n. The shin; segment of the leg between the thigh and ankle, represented by the tibia.
Crys´talline (lens), a. See Lens.
Cu´bit, n. The forearm.
Cu´bital, a. Pertaining to the forearm.
Cu´cullate, a. Hooded.
Cul-de-sac, n. “Bottom of a bag”; closed end of a cavity.
Cul´men, n. Ridge of upper mandible; highest median lengthwise line of the bill. (20.)
Cul´minal, a. Pertaining to the culmen.
Cultriros´tral, a. Having the bill shaped like a heron’s.
Cun´eate, Cun´eiform, a. Wedge-shaped. A cuneate tail has the middle feathers longest, the rest successively regularly shortened.
Cun´eiform (bone), n. One of the wrist-bones.
Curso´rial, a. Running; pertaining or belonging to an obsolete group, Cursores or runners.
Cus´pidate, a. Pointed as a spear-head.
Cuta´neous, a. Pertaining to the skin. Same as dermal.
Cu´ticle, n. Scarf-skin; outermost layer of skin, which continually exfoliates.
Cu´tis, n. Skin; the true skin, as distinguished from cuticle and subcutaneous tissue. Corium and derma are synonymous.
Cyst, n. Sac holding pathological products.
D.
Dac´tyl, n. Finger or toe. Equivalent to digit.
Dactylothe´ca, n. Covering of the toes.
Dasypæ´dic, a. Synonymous with ptilopædic.
Decid´uous, a. Temporary; falling early. The dorsal plumes of the egret are deciduous.
Decomposed´, a. Separate; standing apart. A decomposed crest has the feathers standing away from each other.
Decum´bent, a. Lying or hanging downward.
Decurved´, a. Gradually curved downward. Opposed to recurved.
Decus´sate, a. Crossed; intersected.
Defeca´tion, n. Act of discharging the contents of the cloaca.
Degluti´tion, n. Act of swallowing.
Dejec´tion, n. Same as defecation. Also, the matters so discharged.
Del´toid, a. Triangular. A muscle over the shoulder is so named.
Demi- (in composition). Half; same as semi-.
Den´tary, a. An epithet of the foremost element of the compound mandibular bone.
Den´tate, Dentic´ulate, a. Toothed; notched as if toothed.
Dentig´erous, a. Bearing teeth. The Ichthyornis, Apatornis, and Odontopteryx (?) are dentigerous birds.
Dentiros´tral, a. Having the bill notched as if toothed. Belonging to a certain obsolete order, Dentirostres.
Denti´tion, n. Act of cutting teeth.
Denuda´tion, n. State of nakedness; act of laying bare.
Denu´ded, a. Naked; laid bare.
Deor´sum. Below.
Deplu´mate, Depluma´tus, a. Bare of feathers. (4.)
Depressed´, a. Flattened vertically. Opposite of compressed.
Deræ´um, n. Bottom or lower part of the neck. (Little used.)
Der´mal, a. Pertaining to the skin; made of skin; cutaneous.
Der´mal Appen´dage. Any outgrowth from the skin.
Dertrothe´ca, a. Covering of end of bill.
Der´trum, n. End of maxilla, in any way distinguished. (21.)
Desmognath´ous, a. Having the palate bones united.
Des´moid, a. Ligamentous.
Desquama´tion, n. Peeling off.
Dex´trad, a. Toward the right side.
Dex´tral, a. Of or on the right side.
Di- (in composition). Twice; double.
Diagno´sis, n. Distinctive knowledge. Also characterization, or a brief, precise, and exclusively pertinent definition. Diagnosis is nearly synonymous in this sense with definition; both differ from description in omitting non-essential particulars; but definition may include points equally applicable to some other object.
Diagnos´tic, a. Distinctively and exclusively characteristic. Feathers are diagnostic of birds.
Diaph´anous, a. Transparent.
Di´aphragm, n. Midriff; musculo-tendinous partition between thorax and abdomen, rudimentary or wanting in birds.
Diaphragmat´ic, a. Pertaining to the diaphragm.
Diapoph´ysis, n. Transverse process of a vertebra.
Diarthro´sis, n. Movable articulation of bones in general.
Dias´tasis, Dias´tema, n. A separation of bones, particularly the cranial ones, or of teeth, from each other.
Dias´tole, n. Dilatation of the heart, alternating with the systole or contraction, occasioning pulsation.
Dichot´omous, a. Divided into pairs.
Dichromatic, a. Of two colors, as the “red” and “gray” plumages of Scops asio.
Didac´tylous, a. Two-toed, as the ostrich.
Digas´tric, a. Double-bellied; name of a certain muscle.
Digit´igrade, a. Walking on the toes. Opposed to plantigrade.
Digitus, n.; pl. digiti. Digit. Finger or toe. (116.)
Dimorphic, a. Of two forms.
Diplo´ë, n. Light spongy network of bone between inner and outer surface of the skull.
Disc or Disk, n. Set of radiating feathers of peculiar shape or texture around the eye of owls.
Dissepimen´tum Nar´ium, n. Same as septum narium, which see.
Dis´tad, a. Toward an extremity.
Dis´tal, a. Remote; situate at or near an extremity; opposed to proximal.
Dis´tichous, a. Two-rowed; spread apart on either side of a middle line, as the hairs of a squirrel’s tail, or the tail-feathers of the Archæopteryx.
Ditok´ous, a. Producing but two eggs, as the pigeon and humming-bird.
Diur´nal, a. Pertaining to the daytime.
Divar´icate, a. Branching off; spreading apart; curving away.
Divertic´ulum, n. An offshoot of the small intestine.
Dor´sad, a. Toward the back. Opposite of ventrad.
Dor´sal, a. Pertaining to the back.
Dor´sum, n. Back; upper surface of trunk from neck to rump. (57.)
Down, n. Small soft feathers of plumulaceous structure, generally growing about the roots of plumæ, and concealed by them. See Plumulæ.
Down´y, a. Of plumulaceous structure. A part of the plumage is of down-feathers, and the bases of the contour feathers usually also are of downy structure.
Duct, a.. Any tube for conveyance of an animal product; as oviduct, sperm-duct, lachrymal duct.
Duod´enal, a. Pertaining to the duodenum.
Duod´enum, n. A short portion of the upper intestine next to the gizzard, receiving the pancreatic and hepatic secretions.
Du´ra Ma´ter, n. Outer membranous investment of the brain.
Dusk´y, a. Of any undefined dark color.
E.
Eared, a. Having lengthened or highly colored auricular or other feathers on the side of the head. Eared grebe; long-eared owl.
Ec´dysis, n. Moult; the shedding and renewal of plumage.
Econ´omy (also written œconomy), n. Physical or physiological disposition. (Literally, regulation of a household.)
Ecto- (in composition). Outer.
Ectozo´ön, n. External parasite, as a louse; same as epizoön. Opposed to entozoön.
Eden´tate, Eden´tulous, a. Toothless, as nearly all birds are.
Edge of Wing. (95.) See Campterium.
Ef´ferent, a. Conveying outward or away; opposed to afferent.
El´ement, n. A simple ultimate constituent part of a compound organ. The centrum is an element of a vertebra.
El´evated, a. Said of the hind toe when inserted above the level of the others.
Elon´gate, a. Lengthened beyond usual ratio.
Emar´ginate, a. Notched at the end; slightly forked, especially in case of a tail so shaped; also notched, or abruptly narrowed along the edge, in its continuity, as the border of many a wing-quill.
Embonpoint, n. State of perfect health, as indicated by condition of fatness not amounting to corpulence or obesity.
Em´bryo, n. Fecundated germ or rudiment of an animal; said of a bird until hatched, and therefore corresponding to fœtus in mammalogy.
Embryol´ogy, n. Science or study of the development of animals before birth or hatching.
Embryon´ic, a. Pertaining to an embryo; being an embryo; not yet hatched.
Enam´el, n. The hard white substance covering the teeth.
Enarthro´sis, n. Ball-and-socket joint.
Enceph´alon, n. Contents of the cranium, especially the brain.
Endocar´dium, n. Lining membrane of the heart.
Endog´enous, a. Of internal growth or formation; interstitially deposited. Compare autogenous. Opposed to exogenous.
Endoskel´eton, n. The skeleton proper, or skeleton as commonly understood; the inner bony framework of the body. (Used in distinction from exoskeleton or dermoskeleton, such as some animals possess.)
Enter´ic, a. Belonging or relating to the intestines; intestinal.
Ento- (in composition). Inner.
Epenceph´alon, n. Hindmost segment of the brain.
Epi- (in composition). On; upon; over. Opposed to hypo-.
Epider´mis, n. Cuticle or scarf-skin.
Epidid´ymis, n. An associate organ of the testis, in birds apparently a remnant of the primordial kidney.
Epigas´trium, n. Pit of stomach; upper belly, next to breast. (A region not well distinguished in birds. The term is scarcely used.) (64.)
Epiglot´tis, n. Gristly flap on top of windpipe, rudimentary or wanting in birds.
Epignath´ous, a. Hook-billed.
Epiot´ic, a. for n. A certain element of the auditory capsule.
Epiph´ysis, n. Gristly cap on the end of a bone, afterward becoming bony and united.
Epipleu´ra, n. An obliquely backward bony process of a vertebral rib.
Epithe´lium, n. Superficial layer of mucous membrane. Sometimes also the thick tough membrane lining the gizzard.
Epithe´ma, n. Horny excrescence upon the bill.
Epizo´ön, n. An external parasite.
Epizoöt´ic, a. Parasitic among animals.
Erec´tile, a. Susceptible of being raised, as a crest; or capable of swelling and stiffening, as a penis.
Er´ythrism, n. A particular state of plumage characterized by excess of red pigment; it is well shown in Scops asio and other owls. (Compare albinism and melanism.)
Eth´moid, n. One of the cranial bones, in the nasal region.
Etyp´ical, a. Of exceptional character. Tending away from a particular type. Opposed to attypical.
Eusta´chian (tube), a. for n. The air-tube from the fauces to the inner ear.
Even (tail), a. Having all the feathers of equal length. Also called cauda æqualis or integra.
Ex- (in composition). Out; out of; away from.
Excres´cence, n. Outgrowth, fleshy or cutaneous.
Excre´ta, n. pl. Excrement, or other animal refuse.
Ex´cretory or Ex´cretive, a. Having power or quality of excreting. Excreting differs from secreting, in that the substance resulting is to be eliminated from the economy, not used; e.g. saliva is secreted; urea is excreted.
Exoccip´ital, a. or n. One of the lateral elements of the occipital bone.
Exog´enous, a. Produced by outgrowth.
Exosto´sis, n. Any morbid bony outgrowth or enlargement.
Exten´sor, n. Generic name of muscles that extend or straighten a limb or any of its segments.
Exte´rior Toes. (126.)
Extrem´ity, n. Any limb, member; equal to membrum, artus.
Ey´as, n. An unfledged hawk.
Eye´brow, n. (43.) See Supercilium.
Ey´ry or Ey´rie, n. Nest of a bird of prey.
F.
Fabel´la, n. A certain sesamoid bone.
Fa´cet, n. Smooth, flattened articulating surface.
Fa´cial, a. Pertaining to the face.
Fa´cies, n. Face; whole front of head, excepting the bill.
Fæ´cal, a. Pertaining to excrement; excrementitious.
Fæ´ces, n. pl. Excrement; dung.
Fal´cate, Fal´ciform, a. Sickle-shaped; scythe-shaped.
Fal´conine, a. Like a hawk; belonging to the Falconidæ.
False Wing. (79.) See Alula.
Falx Cerebri, n. A certain fold of the dura mater.
Family, n. Systematic group of the grade between order and genus, generally distinguished or denoted by the termination -idæ, as Falcon-idæ.
Fas´cia, n. Broad band of color. Also, equivalent to Aponeurosis (which see).
Fas´ciated, a. Broadly banded with color.
Fas´cicle, n. Bundle.
Fas´cicled, Fascic´ulate, a. Bundled.
Fastig´iate, a. Bundled together into conical shape, or with enlarged head, like a wheat-sheaf.
Fau´ces, n. The jaws, internally; back of the mouth. Compare Pharynx.
Feather, n. (1; 143.) See Pluma, Penna. Any one of the objects which collectively constitute the peculiar covering of birds.
Fec´ulent, a. Excrementitious.
Fecun´dated, a. Impregnated; made fruitful; said of the germ of an egg which has received the male element.
Fecunda´tion, n. Impregnation; the usual consequence of the completed joint act of the ovarian and spermatic organs.
Fecun´dity, n. Fruitfulness.
Fem´oral, a. Pertaining to the thigh, or part of leg from hip to knee.
Fe´mur, n. Thigh-bone. Also used synonymously with thigh. (97.)
Fenes´trate, a. Furnished with openings (from fenestra, a window).
Fe´ral, a. Wild; not tamed. Opposed to domestic. The mallard is the feral stock of the tame duck.
Ferrugin´eous or Ferru´ginous, a. Rusty-red.
Fe´tus or Fœ´tus, n. Unborn young. (But the unhatched young of birds are oftener called embryos.)
Fibril´la, n.; pl. fibrillæ. Little fibre.
Fib´rin, a. Certain animal substance of fibrous composition, found in the blood and elsewhere.
Fi´bro-car´tilage, n. A kind of cartilage of fibrous structure, such as that between vertebræ and many other joints.
Fib´ula, n. Smaller outer leg-bone, lying alongside the tibia.
Fil´ament, n. Thread or slender fibre.
Filament´ous, Fil´iform, a. Threadlike; composed of filaments; oftener, very narrowly linear.
Filopluma´ceous, a. Having the structure of a filoplume.
Fil´oplume, n. Thread-like or hair-like feather; one with slender scape, and without web in most or all of its length.
Fim´briated, a. Fringed.
Fissipal´mate, a. Lobiped and semipalmate, as a grebe’s foot is.
Fis´siped, a. Having cleft toes. Opposed to palmiped.
Fissiros´tral, a. Having the bill cleft far beyond the base of its horny part.
Fissiros´tres, n. An obsolete order of cleft-billed birds.
Flam´mulated, a. Pervaded with reddish color.
Flank, n. Hinder part of side of trunk. (67.)
Flap, n. See Loma.
Flex´ion, n. Bending (of a limb). Opposed to extension.
Flex´or, n. Generic name of a muscle that bends a limb or any of its segments.
Flexu´ra (alæ), n. Bend of the wing; carpal angle; salient angle or prominence formed at the wrist when the wing is folded. (77.)
Flex´ure, n. See Flexura.
Floc´culent, a. Pertaining to the peculiar down of newly hatched or unfledged young birds. (Not used in ornithology in its common sense of flaky.)
Floc´cus, n. A peculiar kind of plumage of simple structure (generally downy), found in unfledged birds, at first growing directly from the skin, afterwards for the most part affixed to the tip of the true feather, of which it is the precursor, or rather the first-formed part; and finally falling off. In psilopædic birds the floccus is only associated with the true plumage, sprouting from the future pterylæ alone; in ptilopædic birds it also sprouts from the apteria, and in so far is unconnected with future plumage; the whole body is in such cases densely clothed. (Sundevall.)
Fϫtus, n. Same as Fetus (which see).
Fol´licle, n. Minute secretory sac.
Follic´ular, Follic´ulate, a. Having follicles; composed of follicles.
Foot, n. (112.) See Pes.
Foot-joint, n. Junction of toes collectively with the metatarsus. (100.) See Podarthrum.
Fora´men, n.; pl. foram´ina. Hole; opening; perforation. Foramen magnum, the large hole in the occipital bone transmitting the neural axis. Foramen lacerum, irregular vacuity between certain bones at base of skull. The foramen rotundum transmits the optic nerve; foramen ovale, the trigeminal nerve; the latter is also a name of the opening between right and left sides of the heart.
Fore´head, n. Front of head from bill to crown. (34.) See Frons.
Fore-neck, a. Whole front of collum, from chin to breast; whole throat. (51.) See Guttur.
For´ficate, a. Deeply forked.
Forked (tail), a. Having the outer feathers longest, the rest gradually successively shortened to the middle pair; when these are again lengthened somewhat, the tail is said to be doubly forked.
Fos´sa, n.; pl. fossæ. Ditch; excavated place. Used chiefly in the plural to denote the pits or grooves in which most birds’ nostrils open.
Fos´sil, a. or n. Dug out of the ground. Particularly, any organized body, or remains, trace, or mould of such body, naturally buried in past time by geologic agencies. The Archæopteryx macrurus, of the Jurassic formation of Solenhofen, a mesozoic bird, is the oldest known ornithic fossil.
Fosso´rial, a. Digging into the earth for a habitation.
Fos´ter. This word and its various compounds are used in their common senses in treating of the relations of young cowbirds and young cuckoos with the birds upon which they are parasitic.
Fo´vea, n. A slight depression.
Free, a. Said of the leg when not enclosed to the knee in the common integument of the body.
Fre´num, a. Bridle; hence, any cheek-stripe.
Fringe, n. Marginal membrane; also, marginal row of feathers. (135.) See Loma.
Fringed Toe. (134.)
Frons, n. Forehead. (34.)
Fron´tal, a. Pertaining to the forehead.
Fron´tal Bone, n. Principal bone of the forehead.
Fron´tal Points. See Antiæ. (36.)
Front of Tarsus. Instep. (104.)
Frugiv´orous, a. Fruit-eating.
Fulig´inous, a. Sooty-brown; dark smoky brown.
Ful´vous, a. Of a brownish-yellow color.
Fur´cate, a. Forked; forficate.
Fur´cula or Fur´culum, n. The merry-thought or wish-bone; the two clavicles or collar-bones taken together. Also called os furcatum.
Fus´cous, a. Of a dark-brown color.
Fu´siform, a. Spindle-shaped; tapering at each end.
G.
Gal´eate, a. Covered as with a helmet; said of certain gallinules, coots, etc.
Gall, n. Bile; the secretion of the liver.
Gall-blad´der, n. Membranous sac attached to liver for holding bile.
Gall-duct, n. Tube for conveyance of bile into the intestine; the ductus choledochus.
Gallina´ceous, a. Belonging to the Gallinæ; having the nature of the domestic fowl.
Gang´lion, n.; pl. ganglia. Natural knot-like enlargement of a nerve.
Gape, n. Opening of the mouth; area of the opened mouth. (28.) Compare Rictus and Commissure.
Gastræ´um, n. The whole under part of a bird. (16.)
Gas´tric, a. Pertaining to the stomach or belly. The gastric juice of birds is the secretion of the proventriculus, or follicular stomach, not of the gizzard or grinding muscular stomach.
Gastrocne´mius, n. A muscle of the back of the leg.
Gemel´li, n. pl. The twins; certain muscles of the pelvis.
Ge´na, n. Cheek; feathered side of under mandible. (43.) See Malar Region.
Gen´erative Or´gans, n. Organs of reproduction in either sex.
Gener´ic, n. Pertaining to a genus; as, generic character, generic description.
Gen´esis, n. Act, mode, or conditions of reproduction. In science, genesis notes rather the laws and results of origination of individuals or species. The “genesis of species” is a term equivalent to the evolution of species from antecedent forms, with some; with others, their origination by creative fiat.
Genet´ic, a. Pertaining to genesis. Genetic descent, or genetic succession in species, is maintained by those who hold the theory of evolution.
Ge´nu, n. Knee; joint of femur with tibia.
Ge´nus, n.; pl. gen´era. An assemblage of species, or a single species, constituting a taxonomic group of value next below that of the family.
Gen´ys, n. See Gonys.
Ger´minal Ves´icle, n. Cell in the vitellus having a dark spot.
Gibbose´, Gib´bous, a. Swollen; protuberant; humped; hunched.
Gibbos´ity, n. A swelling or protuberance.
Gige´rium, n. Gizzard.
Gin´glymus, n. Hinge-joint. The knee and elbow are ginglymoid, or hinged joints.
Glab´rous, a. Smooth.
Gland, n. A soft fleshy organ, in which fluids of the body are modified to form new products, to be used in, or eliminated from, the economy. But some organs without ducts, and the function of which is unknown, are called glands, as the thymus, thyroid, and pineal. The liver is the largest gland of the body. The proventriculus is a glandular organ.
Glan´dular, a. Pertaining to glands; having glands; consisting of glands.
Glans, n. Head of the penis.
Glos´sa or Glot´ta, n. Tongue.
Glos´so-hy´al, n. Principal bone of the tongue.
Glos´so-pharyn´geal, a. Pertaining to the tongue and jaws. A certain nerve is so called.
Glu´tæal, a. Pertaining to the buttocks; certain muscles are so called.
Glu´tæus, n. A muscle of the side of the rump.
Gnathid´ium, n.; pl. gnathidia. Branch of the lower jaw as far as it is naked. (Oftener used in the plural.) (24.)
Gnathothe´ca, n. Covering of the lower mandible. (14.)
Gonyde´al, a. Pertaining to the mandibular symphysis.
Go´nys, n. Keel or lower outline of the bill as far as the mandibular rami are united. (The word is commonly but erroneously so written, as if from the Greek gonu, knee, or protuberance of the bill; it is rather from the Greek genus (genys), signifying chin.—Sundevall.)
Gor´get, n. Throat-patch, distinguished by color or texture of the feathers.
Gra´dient, a. Walking or running by steps. Opposed to saltatory, or leaping.
Grad´uated, a. Changing length at regular intervals, in regular succession; said chiefly of the tail when its feathers regularly shorten successively by more and more from the middle to the outer.
Graminiv´orous, a. Grass-eating.
Graniv´orous, a. Seed-eating.
Gran´ulate, a. Roughened with numerous small elevations, like shagreen. (Said chiefly of the tarsus.)
Greater Wing-cov´erts, n. The single, longest, most posterior series of the secondary set. (92.)
Ground-col´or (in oölogy), n. The color of the general surface of the egg-shell, as distinguished from its markings.
Grypan´ium, a. Noting a particular form of bill, in which the culmen is nearly straight, but bent down at the tip.
Gu´la, n. Upper foreneck, adjoining chin; upper throat. (52.)
Gu´lar, a. Pertaining to the upper foreneck.
Gut´tate, n. Having drop-shaped spots.
Gut´tiform, a. Drop-shaped.
Gut´tur, n. The whole foreneck. (51.) (But guttural is rarely used in this connection.)
Gymnopæ´dic, n. Synonymous with psilopædic.
Gymnorhi´nal, a. Having unfeathered nostrils.
H.
Hab´itat, n. Locality or region frequented by a species; its geographical distribution.
Hab´itus, n. Habitude; mode of life.
Hack´le, n. Long cervical feather of the domestic cock.
Hæ´mal Arch, n. The lower ring of a (ideally or actually) complete vertebra, enclosing a section of the principal vascular and visceral systems, as the neural arch does a section of the principal nervous system. In birds the hæmal arch is complete only in the thoracic region.
Hæ´mal Spine, n. An ideal transverse section of the sternum corresponding to any one pair of ribs, completing the hæmal arch inferiorly.
Hæmapoph´ysis, n. Segment, actual or potential, of the hæmal arch between the pleurapophysis and hæmal spine. In birds it actually exists in the thoracic region, as the sternal rib, movably articulated with the sternum and the vertebral rib, which latter is the pleurapophysis.
Hæmatit´ic, a. Of a bloody-red color.
Hæmatother´ma, n. Warm-blooded animals collectively; the antithesis is hæmatocrya.
Hal´lucal, a. Pertaining to the hallux.
Hal´lux, n. The hind toe. The name is retained, even when the hind toe is brought round to the front. When the toes are in pairs, it is the inner of the two hind ones, excepting in Trogonidæ. In the genus Picoides the actual single hind toe is not the hallux, but the fourth toe reversed, there being no hallux. This toe may always be recognized by presence of not more than two joints. It is the one usually wanting in three-toed birds, and is frequently rudimentary or functionless, even when present. Its large size, with largest claw, and specialization of its flexor muscle, marks the passerine or highest group of birds. (129.) (Sometimes written hallex or allex.)
Halo´nes, n. pl. Certain appearances of the yolk, probably due to the margins of its successive layers.
Ham´ulate, a. Hooked.
Ham´ulus, n.; pl. hamuli. Hooked fringe of a barbule; hooked barbicel.
Hand-quills, n. Primary remiges. (75.)
Has´tate, a. Spear-head shaped.
Head, n. (9, 29.)
Heel, n. (107.) See Calcaneus and Talus. Upper back part of tarso-metatarsus (tarsus or shank), rarely resting on the ground in birds when standing erect. (Commonly, but most improperly, called knee.)
Heel-joint, n. (103.) See Suffrago. The tibio-tarsal articulation, as it is called; that between the leg (crus), and the tarso-metatarsus (shank). With few exceptions among certain Raptores, it always bends backward; the knee always has its convexity forward.
Heel-pad, n. (115.) Pterna; tuber (which see). The posterior portion of pelma, immediately under the foot-joint, and frequently prominent. (But heel-pad should not be used in this connection, since the heel (calcaneus) is at the top of the tarsus, and not at the bottom where the heel-pad lies.) (115.)
Hemi- (in composition). Semi-; demi-; half.
Hepat´ic, a. Pertaining to the liver; as, hepatic artery, hepatic secretion.
Heteroge´neous, a. Of different or dissimilar nature; of mixed or miscellaneous character.
Hex´agon, n. Figure of six sides and six edges.
Hexag´onal, a. Having six sides and edges.
Hiber´nal, a. Pertaining to the winter time. (Neither this nor æstival are much used, although vernal and autumnal are continually employed.)
Hind-neck, n. (48.) See Cervix.
Hind-toe, n. (129.) See Hallux.
Hinder Parts. (8.) See Uræum.
Hip, n. Joint of femur with pelvis; projection formed by femoral trochanter over the joint.
Hirsute´, a. Hairy; rather shaggy, as the feet of a grouse.
Histog´eny, n. Formation of tissue.
Histol´ogy, n. Minute anatomy; history of tissue.
Histon´omy, n. Laws of formation of tissue.
Hoar´y, a. Of a pale silvery-gray.
Holorhi´nal, a. Having the nasal bones contiguous.
Homogene´ity, n. Sameness; structural similarity.
Homoge´neous, a. Of the same kind or nature. Opposed to heterogeneous. A homogeneous group contains only structurally related forms.
Homolog´ical, Homol´ogous, a. Structurally related; having structural affinity. Opposed to analogous, which implies similarity of appearance, purpose, or use without corresponding affinity.
Homol´ogy, n. Structural affinity, generally implying genetic relationship. Opposed to analogy, or mere resemblance.
Homotyp´ical, a. Of the same type of structure.
Homot´ypy, n. A particular kind of homology.
Hor´notine, a. or n. Yearling; a bird of the year.
Hu´meral, a. Pertaining to the humerus, or, more generally, to the upper arm.
Hu´merus, n. The upper arm bone; sometimes the whole upper-arm, from shoulder to elbow.
Hy´aline, Hy´aloid, a. Transparent, like glass; said chiefly of the vitreous humor of the eye, and of certain appurtenances of the back chamber of the eye.
Hy´brid, a. or n. Cross-born between two species; mongrel.
Hybridiza´tion, n. Cross-fertilization. Production of hybrids.
Hy´bridize. To cross and bear mongrel offspring.
Hy´oid, Hyoid´ean, a. Pertaining to the os hyoides or tongue-bone, or, more generally, to the tongue itself.
Hypapoph´ysis, n. Bony process from the under side of a vertebra, sometimes very large, as in the loon.
Hyper- (in composition). Same as super- (which see).
Hyperbo´rean, a. Northern; boreal.
Hyperchrom´atism, n. State of unusually increased or intensified coloration.
Hyper´trophy, n. Inordinate enlargement of a part or organ, due to excessive nutrition. The opposite of atrophy, or the wasting away of an organ through deficient nutrition.
Hypo- (in composition). Same as sub- (which see).
Hypochon´drium, n. The flank. (Oftener used in the plural, hypochondria, flanks.) (67.)
Hypodac´tylum, n. Soles of the toes. (118.)
Hypogas´tric, a. Under or behind the belly. (Little used).
Hypognath´ous, a. Having the under mandible longer than the upper, as the black skimmer.
Hypopti´lum, n. Supplementary plume, or accessory plume, springing from the same barrel of the main feather. Generally found, but wanting in many families, and always on the quills of the wings and tail. Synonymous with hyporrhachis as generally used.
Hypora´dii, n. pl. Barbs of the hypoptilum.
Hyporrha´chis, n. Aftershaft; stem or scape of the supplementary plume. Generally used for the whole of such accessory feather, but best thus restricted.
Hypoth´esis, n. A reasonable presumption or supposition taken as premise of an argument, or as probably true, to account for what is not understood. As it does not necessarily rest upon fact, it has not the weight or dignity of theory.
Hypothet´ical, a. Reasonably presumptive: logically supposititious; conditional; assumed without proof but with fair probability.
I.
Identifica´tion, n. Act or process of determining to what species a specimen or a name belongs; the determination so made.
Iden´tify. To determine the name of a specimen or of a species; to ascertain the identity of a certain specimen with a name, or name with a certain species.
Igno´ble, a. Said of hawks lacking the special qualities of those used in falconry.
Il´eum, n. Lower portion of small intestine.
Il´iac, a. Relating to the ilium, or haunch-bone; also, to the ileum.
Il´ium, n. Haunch-bone; principal bone of the pelvis, forming with the ischium and pubis the os innominatum.
Im´bricated, a. Fixed shingle-wise with overlapping edge or end.
Immac´ulate, a. Unspotted; not marked with different colors.
Immature´, a. Not having yet assumed final size, shape, color, or other conditions of the adult.
Imper´forate, a. Not pierced through; also, closed up (said chiefly of the nostrils).
Implacen´tal, a. Having no placenta. Birds are implacental.
Incised´, a. Cut out; cut away.
Incuba´tion, n. Act of setting on eggs to hatch them.
Incum´bent, a. Depressed or bending down upon something; laid at full length; chiefly said of the hind-toe when its whole length rests on the ground or other support, owing to its low insertion on the level of the rest. (131.)
In´cus, a. A bone of the inner ear of mammalia, held by high authority to be homologous with the os quadratum of birds (which see). See also Malleus.
In´dex, n. The principal digit of the wing is often so called, but is really homologous with the third or middle finger of mammals; the pollex or so-called thumb of birds being the homologue of the mammalian index.
In´doles, n. Natural disposition.
Indumen´tum, n. Covering of birds; the ptilosis or plumage. (142.)
In´fra- (in composition). Below; under; opposite of supra-. It is in part synonymous with sub-, but refers only, to position, while sub- is of more extensive application.
Inframax´illary, n. The under jaw bone, or mandible.
Infraor´bital, a. Below the eye-socket.
Infundibu´liform, a. Funnel-shaped.
Infundib´ulum, n. Funnel; name of several different organs.
Inges´ta, n. pl. Things eaten; contents of crop or stomach. Opposed to egesta.
Inglu´vies, n. Crop or craw. Also used synonymously with chin.
In´guen, n. The groin; whence the adj. inguinal. (Little used.)
In´guinal, a. Pertaining to the groin.
Inner Toe, n. (127.) In most birds the second is the inner anterior toe; in the trogons, the third or middle toe becomes inner anterior by reversion of the second, which is then inner posterior. In a few exotic kingfishers, the second or inner anterior is rudimentary or wanting. In several birds the hallux or first or hinder toe is reversed, and becomes inner anterior. But in any position the inner toe, properly speaking, is the second, that one with only three joints.
Innom´inate (bone), n. The pelvic bone, composed of ilium, ischium, and pubis.
Inoscula´tion, n. Same as Anastomosis (which see).
Insectiv´orous, a. Insect-eating.
Insesso´res, n. pl. Perching-birds; an order now becoming obsolete.
Insesso´rial, a. Relating to perching-birds.
Insis´tent, a. Said of the hind toe, when its base is so elevated that the tip only touches the ground. (130.)
In´stinct, n. Imperfect reason; the faculty of doing the right thing without knowing why.
Integ´ument, n. A covering or envelope; commonly, the skin.
Inter- (in composition). Between; among.
Interartic´ular, a. Between the joints; in a joint; as, interarticular cartilage.
Intercos´tal, a. Between two ribs; as, intercostal muscle, artery, vein.
Intermax´illary (bone), n. Same as Premaxillary (which see).
In´ternode, n. Any bone of a finger or toe.
Interor´bital, a. Between the eye-sockets.
Interra´mal, a. Between the forks or rami of the lower jaw.
Interrupt´ed, a. Discontinuous; broken up.
Interscapil´ium or Interscap´ulum, n. Region of the upper back between the shoulders. (58.)
Interscap´ular, a. Between the shoulders. The plural, interscapulars or interscapularies, is used to denote the feathers of such region collectively.
Invag´inate, a. Sheathed.
Inver´tebrate, a. or n. Having no backbone; an animal without a backbone. Opposed to vertebrate.
I´rian, Irid´ian, a. Pertaining to the iris.
Irides´cent, a. Glittering with many colors, which change in different lights.
I´ris, n. Circular muscular curtain suspended perpendicularly in the eye between the aqueous and vitreous chambers, having a hole in the centre (the pupil). It is of all colors in birds.
Ischiat´ic, a. Pertaining to the ischium.
Is´chium, n. One of the pelvic bones, the hindermost.
-Ish. A suffix, forming an adjective, usually denoting possession of a quality in less degree; especially used for colors; as, blackish, not quite black, etc.
Isth´mus, n. Neck or narrow strip connecting two larger portions of same region, patch of color, etc.
J.
Jaw, n. See Maxilla, Mandible.
Jeju´num, n. Portion of intestine between duodenum and ileum (not definite, and little used).
Ju´gal, a. Pertaining to the zygoma.
Ju´gal (bone), n. Same as malar bone.
Ju´gular, a. Pertaining to the jugulum.
Ju´gulum, n. Lower throat; lower foreneck. (53.)
Junctu´ra, n. Articulation; joint.
K.
Keel, n. Same as Gonys (which see). (22.)
Knee, n. Femoro-tibial articulation. (N. B. The heel-joint, suffrago, or tibio-metatarsal articulation, is often improperly called knee.) (102.)
L.
La´bel, n. Card, ticket, or similar slip of paper, parchment, etc., affixed to an object, giving written information respecting it.
Lac´erate, Lacin´iate, a. Cut or slashed on the edge or end into a fringe or brush.
Lach´rymal (bone), a. A large stout bone forming part of the orbit.
Lacu´na, n. Small pit or depression; oftener, an open space or vacuity, as in the palate.
Lacu´næ, n. pl. Certain small excavations in bone and in mucous membrane.
Lacus´trine, a. Lake-inhabiting.
Lamb´doid, a. L-shaped.
Lamel´la, n.; pl. lamellæ, Lam´ina, n.; pl. laminæ, A thin plate or scale; a plate-like process. The processes inside a duck’s bill are lamellæ; the individual barbs of a feather are laminæ.
Lam´ellate, Lam´inate, a. Having, or composed of, laminæ, or series of plates.
Lamelliros´tral, a. Having a lamellate bill.
Lamelliros´tres, n. pl. A group of lamellate-billed birds (the duck tribe).
Lan´ceolate, a. Lance-head shaped; tapering narrowly at one end, less so at the other.
Larynge´al, a. Pertaining to the larynx.
Lar´ynx, n. Adam’s-apple, hollow cartilaginous organ, a modification of the windpipe either at the top or bottom, but especially the former; the lower larynx being called Syrinx (which see).
Lat´eral, a. To or towards the side; on either hand from the middle line.
Lat´erally, a. Sidewise.
Latis´simus, a. for n. A certain muscle of the back.
Legs. (96.)
Lens (crystalline), n. A circular biconvex transparent body in the eye which brings rays of light to a focus.
Lesser Wing-coverts, n. pl. The smaller anterior set of secondary coverts in several series upon the plica alaris.
Leva´tor, n. Generic name of muscles that elevate; as, levator palpebræ, lifter of the eyelid.
Lig´ament, n. Fibrous band or sheet binding bones or other structures together.
Ligamen´tum Nu´chæ, n. A particular strong elastic ligament along the nape and cervix of many animals.
Ligamen´tum Te´res, n. A particular strong fibrous cord holding the head of the femur in its socket.
Lim´bate, a. Having edging of one color against another.
Li´mes Facia´lis, n. Facial outline; line of the feathers all around the bill.
Limico´læ, n. pl. A group of shore-waders, as plover, snipe, etc.
Limic´oline, a. Shore-inhabiting.
Lin´ear, a. Narrow, with straight parallel sides; uniformly narrow for a long distance.
Lin´gua, n. Tongue.
Linis´ci, n. pl. Reticulations of the podotheca. (Little used.)
Liv´er, n. See Gland.
Lo´bate, Lobed, a. Furnished with membranous flaps (said chiefly of toes). See Lomatinus. (137.)
Lobe, n. Membranous flap (generally curved, but may be straight-edged). See Loma.
Lo´ma, n. Lobe; membranous fringe or flap. (135.)
Lomat´inus, a. Furnished with lobes or flaps. (134.)
Long-exsert´ed, a. Said of tail-feathers abruptly much longer than the rest.
Longipen´nes, n. pl. A group of long-winged swimming-birds, the gulls, terns, and petrels.
Longipen´nine, a. Having long wings (reaching, when folded, beyond the tail).
Longiros´tral, a. Having a long bill (longer than the head).
Longiros´tres, n. pl. An obsolete group of long-billed wading birds.
Longis´simus, a. for n. A certain muscle of the back.
Longitu´dinal, a. Running lengthwise, or in direction of the antero-posterior axis of the body.
Lon´gus Col´li. A certain muscle of the neck.
Lo´ral, a. Pertaining to the lore.
Lore, Lo´rum, n. Space between eye and bill. (39.)
Lower Back. (59.) See Tergum.
Lower Jaw. Lower Mandible. (11.) See Mandible.
Lower Parts. (6.) See Gastræum.
Lower Wing-coverts. (85.) See Tectrices.
Lower Tail-coverts. See Calypteria, Crissum, Tectrices.
Lum´bar, a. Pertaining to, or situate in, the loins. In birds, a lumbar region or lumbar vertebræ are not well distinguished, if at all; and in many, rib-bearing vertebræ continue into the sacral region.
Lumbric´iform, a. Same as Vermiform (which see).
Lu´nulate, a. Narrowly crescentic.
Lu´teous, a. Clay-colored.
Lymphat´ic, a. or n. Pertaining to lymph; an absorbent vessel.
Ly´rate, a. Lyre-shaped, as the tail of Menura superba or Tetrao tetrix.
M.
Mac´erated, a. Soaked to softness.
Mac´ula, n. A spot.
Mac´ulate, a. Spotted.
Mag´num, a. for n. One of the carpal bones.
Ma´la, n. Basal portion of outside of lower jaw, usually feathered. (Sometimes used for corresponding portion of upper jaw; the site and boundary of mala and gena are not well determined, and vary with writers. Both lie on side of head, back of bill, and under lore, eye, and ear.) (26.)
Ma´lar Re´gion. Same as mala.
Malleo´lus, n.; pl. malleoli. The enlarged articular surface of the bottom of the tibia; in birds formed by confluence of the two proximal tarsal ossicles.
Mal´leus, n. A bone of the inner ear of mammalia, held by high authority as probably homologous with the Os Quadratum (which see).
Mam´ma, n. Teat.
Mam´mary, a. Pertaining to the teats, or function of lactation.
Man´dible, Mandib´ula, n. Jaw. Properly the under jaw, the upper jaw being maxilla. (11.)
Mandib´ular, a. Pertaining to the under jaw. (Maxillary relates to the upper jaw.)
Manduca´tion, n. Mastication.
Mandu´catory, a. Pertaining to mastication.
Mantle, n. (61.) See Stragulum and Pallium.
Manu´brium Ster´ni, n. (Literally “handle.”) Process of breast-bone on front border at root of keel.
Man´us, n. Hand; all of the wing, excepting the feathers, which lies beyond the wrist; the metacarpus and digits, with associate soft parts. It corresponds with pes.
Mar´bling, n. Fine spotting and streaking intermixed; variegation like marble. The markings are more distinct than in clouding or nebulation.
Mar´ginal Fringe, n. See Loma. (135.)
Mar´go, n. Margin. Margo mentalis, inner boundary of the forks of the mandible. Margo malaris, boundary of the base of the mala.
Marsu´pium, n. Vascular, erectile, membranous organ in the back chamber of the eye of birds, supposed to aid in accommodation of vision. Also called pecten.
Masse´ter, n. One of the muscles that effect mastication.
Mas´tax, n. “Side of the forepart of head, adjacent to the base of the bill.” (37.) (Little used, and undistinguished from lore.)
Mas´toid, a. Name of a process of the temporal bone.
Ma´trix, n. Mould. Tissue or organ containing something and determining its form or other condition.
Maxil´la, n. Jaw, especially the upper jaw, or maxilla superior; the maxilla inferior being especially called mandibula. (10.)
Max´illar, Max´illary, a. Pertaining to the upper jaw. Maxillary bone, the cheek-bone; in birds an inconsiderable bone of the bill itself, not of the cheek.
Max´illo-pal´atine (bone), n. Certain paired bone of the upper jaw in the palate.
Mea´tus, n. Passage or canal. Meatus auditorius, ear-passage.
Me´dian, a. Lying in the middle line. Opposed to lateral.
Mediasti´num, n. One of the thoracic partitions.
Medul´la, n. Marrow. Medulla spinalis, spinal cord. Medulla oblongata, tract of nerve matter between cerebellum and spinal cord proper.
Mel´anism, n. State of coloration resulting from excess of black or dark pigment; a frequent condition of hawks.
Melanis´tic, Melanot´ic, a. Affected with melanism.
Mem´brana Putam´inis, n. The lining membrane of the egg-shell, formed of dense modified albumen.
Mem´brane, n. Thin soft sheet of various structure covering a part or organ. Cerebral or spinal membrane. See Meninges. Nictitating membrane, the third or inner eyelid of birds, which sweeps across the ball. Soft skinny covering of the bill of many birds is said to be membranous. Webbing of the toes is the interdigital membrane. Loma is a fringed membrane.
Mem´brum, n.; pl. membra. Any limb, or other peripheral part, as a bill, as distinguished from body proper or truncus.
Menin´ges, n. pl. Envelopes of the brain or spinal cord; especially the dura mater and pia mater. (The singular, meninx, is scarcely used.)
Men´tal, a. Pertaining to the chin.
Men´tum, n. Chin; soft parts between the branches of the lower jaw.
Mesenceph´alon, n. A certain brain-tract, the second from behind.
Mesenter´ic, a. Pertaining to the mesentery.
Mes´entery, n. A fold of the peritoneum binding the intestines in place.
Mesera´ic, a. Same as Mesenteric (which see).
Me´sial, a. In the middle; same as median.
Meso- (in composition). Middle; median.
Mesomet´rium, n. Partially muscular peritoneal fold supporting the oviduct.
Mesorhi´nium, n. Portion of bill between the nostrils. (Little used.)
Mesoster´num, n. Middle segment of the breast-bone.
Metacar´pal, a. or n. Pertaining to the metacarpus; particularly the metacarpal bone.
Metacar´pus, n. Hand, exclusive of the fingers; segment of the wing between the carpus and the digits.
Metagnath´ous, a. Cross-billed; having the points of the mandibles passing each other on the right and left.
Metatar´sal, a. Pertaining to the metatarsus; particularly the metatarsal bone.
Metatar´sus, n. Foot, exclusive of the toes; segment of the leg between the tarsus and the digits, commonly called the shank, and in descriptive ornithology usually known as the tarsus. The metatarsus, however, has a distal tarsal ossicle confluent with it, so that it is actually tarso-metatarsus. In birds, the metatarsus proper (exclusive of the confluent tarsal bone) consists of three parallel metatarsal bones, more or less completely confluent, and of the associated accessory metatarsal bone which bears the hallux. Compare Tarsus.
Metatar´sus Hal´lucis, n. The accessory metatarsal bone, as just said.
Mid´dle Toe, n. The third toe in order of reckoning, with few exceptions four-jointed. When the fourth toe is reversed, as in all zygodactyle birds except trogons, it becomes the outer anterior toe; in trogons, and a few birds in which the true inner or second toe is wanting, it becomes the inner anterior toe. It is never versatile. It rarely has only three joints, like the second toe. (128.)
Mid´dle Wing-cov´erts, or Me´dian Cov´erts. The series of upper coverts of the secondary set, situate in one or more rows between the greater and lesser coverts. They are usually recognized by their overlapping each other in the reverse direction (i.e. inner border of one overlapping outer border of the next one) from the others, whence they are sometimes called tectrices perversæ. (94.)
Migra´tion, n. Periodical (but sometimes irregular) journeyings, or change of abode, of birds at certain seasons, to secure food, climate, or other physical conditions of environment best suited to their wants. Migration is generally meridional (north-south), and believed by some to be mainly accomplished along a magnetic meridian; but it is often quite otherwise, influenced by topography, etc., or altogether capricious. In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal migration is northward, the autumnal in the opposite direction.
Mime´sis, n. Mimicry; mocking; simulated resemblance in voice, shape, color, etc.
Mimet´ic, a. Imitative; given to mimicry. Mimetic analogy, simulated resemblance in superficial respects, such as many insects bear to the twigs or leaves they rest upon.
Mir´ror, n. See Speculum. (82.)
Mol´ecule, n. Embryo part of the impregnated ovum. See Cicatriculum.
Mol´lipilose, a. Softly downy.
Monog´amous, a. Pairing; mating with a single one of the opposite sex. Birds of which the male assists in incubation and care of the young are called doubly monogamous.
Monog´amy, n. The paired state.
Monomor´phic, a. Of the same or essentially similar type of structure. Opposed to polymorphic.
Monoto´kous, a. Uniparous; laying a single egg.
Mon´ster, n. Any malformed animal.
Morphol´ogy, n. The science of form. The doctrine of the laws of form. Structure itself, considered as to its principles; e.g. the morphology of the odontoid process of the axis is centrum of the atlas, the morphological interpretation of the tibial condyles is tarsal ossicles. The segment called metatarsus is, morphologically, tarso-metatarsus. Homology rests upon morphology; analogy is generally predicable upon teleology.
Mor´sus Diabol´icus, n. An epithet of the infundibuliform orifice of the oviduct which takes in the ova.
Mucip´arous, a. Producing mucus.
Mu´cous Mem´brane, n. Lining of the alimentary and other interior tracts of the body, secreting mucus.
Mu´cro, n. A sharp spine.
Mu´cronate, a. Spine-tipped, as the tail of a swift.
Mu´cus, n. Peculiar secretion of the mucous membrane.
Multif´idus, a. for n. A certain spinal muscle.
Multip´arous, a. Producing many young.
Mus´cle, n. (musculus, pl. musculi). Organ of animal motion, consisting of contractile fibre, the shortening of which draws upon attached parts. With the muscular tissue is usually associated a fibrous ligament, the tendon or “leader.” Voluntary muscles have striped fibre, contracting at will of the animal; such are all those of the general system, moving the bones, effecting locomotion, mastication, etc. Involuntary muscles mostly have plain fibre contractile under special stimuli without obedience to the will; such are those of the intestines, etc.
Mus´cular, a. Pertaining to muscle; having muscle or composed of muscle; resulting from muscle: as, muscular fibre, muscular organ, muscular exertion. Also, strong, vigorous: the falcon is a muscular bird.
Mu´ticus, a. Unarmed; as, a toe without a claw, an unspurred tarsus. (133.)
Myelenceph´alon, n. Whole cerebro-spinal column.
My´elon, n. The spinal cord.
Myolem´ma, n. Sheath of muscular fibre.
Myol´ogy, n. Doctrine or description of the muscles.
Myx´a, n. End of the mandible, as far as the symphysis, corresponding to the dertrum of the maxilla. (25).
N.
Nan´us, a. or n. Dwarf; pigmy.
Nape, n. (49.) See Nucha.
Nar´is, n.; pl. nares. Nostril (always paired). (28½.) The external nares open upon the bill, or its cere, in very various shape and position; the internal nares open slit-wise upon the back part of the palate.
Na´sal, a. Pertaining to the nostrils. Nasal bones, a pair at the root of the upper mandible.
Nas´cent, a. About being born; beginning to grow or exist.
Nata´tion, n. Act of swimming.
Natato´res, n. pl. A group of swimming-birds.
Natato´rial, a. Capable of swimming; belonging to swimming-birds.
Nearc´tic, a. Indigenous to the northern portion of the Western Hemisphere.
Nebula´ted, a. Clouded with various indistinct colors.
Neck, n. (47.) See Collum.
Neogæ´an, n. Indigenous to the Western Hemisphere or “New World.”
Neos´sine, n. Substance of the “edible birds’-nests.”
Neossol´ogy, n. Study of young birds.
Neotrop´ical, a. Indigenous to the tropical portion of the Western Hemisphere.
Ner´vine, n. Nerve substance.
Neu´ral, a. Pertaining to nerves. Neural canal, the tube of the backbone. Neural spine, the so-called spinous process of a vertebra. Neural axis, cerebro-spinal axis. Neural arch, see Neurapophysis.
Neurapoph´ysis, n. The laminate process of a vertebra, which, meeting its fellow at the neural spine, closes the canal for transmission of the spinal cord.
Neurilem´ma, n. Sheath of nerve fibre.
Neurol´ogy, n. Study of the nerves.
Nic´titating Mem´brane, n. The third or inner eyelid of birds.
Nidifica´tion, n. Nest-building; mode of nesting.
Ni´dus, n. Nest.
Ni´sus Formati´vus, n. The formative tendency; the unknown law which determines the rudiment of an animal to take its proper shape, “each after its kind.” “Plastic force.”
Node, No´dus, n. A swelling; hence, a joint, as bones usually enlarge at their articulating extremities. Compare Internode.
Nomen´clature, n. The sum of the words or terms peculiar to any department of knowledge; as, ornithological nomenclature; in this sense equivalent to terminology. Also, the naming of objects according to some fixed principle; as, the binomial nomenclature. It is essential to the integrity of nomenclature that it should rest upon classification, or taxonomy.
Non-. Not. A frequent prefix in scientific literature, denoting negation, used much like dis-, un-, in-, etc.
Nos´tril, n. (28½.) See Naris.
Notæ´um, n. The entire upper part of a bird. (5.)
No´tha, a. Spurious. By ala notha has been meant the scapular, axillar, and tertiary feathers collectively, which are also called parapterum.
No´tochord, n. Primitive condition of the backbone.
Nu´cha, n. Nape; upper part of cervix, next to occiput. (49.)
Nu´chal, a. Pertaining to the nape.
Nu´cleated, a. Containing a special cell or cells.
Nucleo´lus, n. Cell or point within a nucleus.
Nu´cleus, n. Special cell within another.
Nu´trient, a. Nourishing; nutritious.
Nutri´tion, n. Repair of waste that ensues by decomposition in animal life, and promotion of growth, with supply of new assimilable material. Alimentation is the act of supply; aliment or nutriment the supply; nutrition the result of its assimilation.
O.
Oared (foot), a. Having the hind toe, as well as the others, full-webbed. See Steganopodous. (140.)
Obcor´date, a. Inversely heart-shaped.
Oblique´, a. Indirect; aslant. Also, name of certain abdominal muscles.
Ob´long, a. Longer than broad.
Obo´vate, a. Inversely ovate.
Obscure´, a. Dark; not evident; little known; faintly marked.
Ob´solete, a. Disused; little used. Also, synonymous with obscure, as obsolete spots; also, synonymous with imperfect or rudimentary: the hind toe of the petrel is obsolete.
Obtura´tor, n. A muscle, membrane, and foramen of the pelvis are respectively so called.
Obtuse´, a. Blunt. Opposed to acute.
Occip´ital, a. or n. Pertaining to the hind-head; as, occipital bone, occipital region.
Oc´ciput, n. The hind head. (33.)
Ocel´lus, n. (Literally “little eye.”) Distinct rounded spot of color, like the “eyes” of a peacock’s tail.
Och´rey, Och´reous, a. Color of yellow ochre.
Oc´reate, a. Booted. See Boot and Caligula.
Oc´ulo-mo´tor, n. A nerve of the eye-muscles.
Oc´ulus, n. Eye. (The adjective ocular being applied chiefly to processes and results of sight, much like visual, rather than to physical attributes, the word orbital is used for the latter instead.)
Odon´toid (process), a. A part of the axis (second cervical vertebra) is so called.
Œsoph´agus, n. Gullet; tube conveying food from mouth to stomach.
Olec´ranon, n. Upper back part of the ulna, not prominent in birds.
Olfac´tory, a. Pertaining to the sense of smell.
Oligomy´oid, a. Having few or imperfect syringeal muscles among Passeres.
Oligoto´kous, a. Producing few young.
Oliva´ceous, a. Of a mixed green and brown color.
Omniv´orous, a. Eating anything; feeding indiscriminately.
O´moplate, n. Shoulder-blade. (Omo-, in composition, is a prefix referring to the shoulder.)
Om´phalos, n. Same as umbilicus, navel.
Oölog´ical, a. Pertaining to oölogy.
Oöl´ogy, n. Science of birds’ eggs.
Oper´culum, n. Lid or cover; flap. The nasal scale, or roofing of the external nostrils, is the operculum naris.
Ophthal´mic, a. Pertaining to the eye. Ophthalmic region is equivalent to orbital region.
Op´tic, a. Pertaining to the eye, or to the sight. The optic nerve issues from the brain and spreads into the retina.
O´ral, a. Pertaining to the mouth.
Orbic´ular, a. Circular.
Or´bit, n. Eye-socket. Also, synonymous with orbita.
Or´bita, n. Circumorbital region taken immediately around the eye-opening. (41.)
Or´bital, a. Pertaining to the orbit.
Orbi´to-sphe´noid, n. Part of the sphenoid bone, forming a portion of the orbit.
Or´der, Or´do, n. In classification, a group pl. ordines, between family and class.
Or´dinal, a. Having the taxonomic rank or value of an order.
Or´gan, n. Any individual part, or system of parts, of the body having a specific physiological function, considered with reference to its action, processes, or results. Eye, organ of sight; wing, organ of flight; stomach, liver, organs of digestion; muscles collectively, organs of locomotion.
Or´ganism, n. Any living body capable of separate existence.
Or´gasm, n. Immoderate excitement; said chiefly of sexual excitement, of which the orgasm is the height. Erethism.
Ornith´ic, a. Pertaining to birds.
Ornithocop´rolite, n. Fossil bird-dung.
Ornithol´ogy, n. Science of birds.
Ornithot´omy, n. Anatomy of birds.
Os, n.; gen. oris; pl. ora. Mouth. Cavum oris, cavity of the mouth.
Os, n.; gen. ossis; pl. ossa. Bone. Many or most names of individual bones are adjectives, used substantively, os or bone being understood; as, hyoid or hyoides, hyoid (bone) or (os) hyoides, etc. The quadrate bone or os quadratum is, as to its physical characters and office, not found in animals above birds; it hinges the lower jaw, pterygoid, and malar bones to the rest of the skull. It is regarded as the homologue of the mammalian incus by some, by others as probably homologous with the mammalian malleus.
Os´cine, a. Musical; capable of singing.
Os´cines, n. pl. A group of singing-birds, possessing a complex vocal organ of numerous syringeal muscles, conferring musical ability. These are regarded as the highest or most perfectly developed of their class.
Os´seous, a. Bony.
Os´sicle, n. A small bone.
Ossif´ic, a. Bony; rather, having power to ossify.
Os´sified, a. Become bony; united by bone.
Os´sify. To form bone; to change into bone.
Osteolog´ical, a. Pertaining to osteology.
Osteol´ogy, n. A description of bones. Also used to denote the osseous system, as myology, neurology, splanchnology, likewise are for their respective systems.
Os´tium, n. Doorway; entrance.
O´tic, a. Pertaining to the ear.
O´tocrane, n. “Skull of the ear”; cavity containing essential organs of hearing.
Outer Covering. (142.) See Indumentum and Ptilosis.
Outer Web (of a feather). (150.) See Pogonium Externum.
O´val, O´vate, O´void, Ovoid´al, a. Egg-shaped; in a general sense, oblong and curvilinear. Distinctions which may subsist between these words are practically ignored among oölogical writers, who use them interchangeably for the oblong curvilinear shape when the curve is unequal at the opposite ends; the terms elliptical, ellipsoidal, being generally used to denote a curve equal at both ends. The transverse
contour-line of an egg being always circular, the descriptive terms refer to the lengthwise contour, considered either as of a surface or a solid.
Ova´rium, n.; pl. ovaria, O´vary, n.; pl. ovaries, Organ or tissue in which eggs originate; they subsequently acquire albuminous deposit, and, in birds, a calcareous shell, in the oviduct.
O´viduct, n. Tube conveying eggs from ovary to cloaca.
Ovip´arous, a. Producing eggs which are developed after exclusion from the body. Opposed to viviparous.
Oviposi´tion, n. Act of laying eggs.
O´visac, n. Ovarian cavity in which an egg originates. Graafian vesicle.
Ovula´tion, n. Formation of eggs in, and discharge from, the ovary.
O´vum, n.; pl. ova. Egg. Sometimes synonymous with embryo.
P.
Pab´ulum, n. Food; nourishment; aliment.
Pads. (123.) See Tylari.
Palæarc´tic, a. Indigenous to the northern parts of the Eastern Hemisphere.
Palæogæ´an, a. Indigenous to the Eastern Hemisphere, or “Old World.”
Palæornithol´ogy, n. Science of fossil birds.
Pal´ama, n. Webbing between the toes. (138.)
Pal´atal, Pal´atine, a. Pertaining to the palate; palatine is said especially of certain bones.
Pal´ate, n. Roof of mouth.
Pal´atum, n. The palate.
Pa´lea, n. Fleshy pendulous skin of the chin or throat; dewlap.
Pal´lium, n. Same as Stragulum (which see).
Pal´mar, a. Pertaining to the under surface of the pinion.
Pal´mate, Palma´ted, Pal´miped, a. Web-footed; having the anterior toes full-webbed. Compare Semipalmate and Totipalmate.
Pal´mate Foot. (139.)
Pal´pebra, n. Eyelid.
Pal´pebral, a. Pertaining to the eyelids.
Pal´pebrate, a. Having eyelids.
Palu´dicole, a. Marsh-inhabiting.
Pan´creas, n. A lobulated gland near the stomach, the secretion of which poured into the duodenum aids digestion by making an emulsion of fat.
Pancreat´ic, a. Pertaining to the pancreas; as, pancreatic fluid.
Papil´la, n. Small fleshy nipple-like prominence.
Pap´illate, Pap´illose, a. Having papillæ.
Pap´ulæ, n. pl. Pimples.
Pap´ulous, a. Pimply.
Paradac´tylum, n. Side of the toes, in any way distinguished from top or sole. (119.) (Little used.)
Paragnath´ous, a. Having both mandibles of equal length, their tips meeting.
Parapoph´ysis, n. Certain lateral process of a vertebra.
Parap´terum, n. Of uncertain meaning, but has been applied to the scapular region or its feathers. (Little used.)
Parasit´ic, a. Habitually making use of other birds’ nests.
Paratar´sium, n. Side of the tarsus, in any way distinguished. (105.) (Little used.)
Parato´num, n. Side of upper mandible when distinguished from the culmen. (Little used.)
Parauche´nium, n. Side of neck. (54.) (Little used.)
Paren´chyma, n. Essential substance of a viscus.
Pari´etal (bones), a. for n. Expanded bones forming part of the cranium.
Pari´etes, n. Wall.
Paroccip´ital, a. for n. Certain lateral elements of the occipital bone.
Parot´ic, a. About the ear. (45.)
Parot´id, a. or n. Pertaining to the ear. Especially, a salivary gland situate near the ear.
Pas´seres, n. pl. A group of birds including sparrows and all the higher birds.
Pas´serine, a. Sparrow-like. Belonging to the group of Passeres.
Patel´la, n. Knee-pan; knee-cap. Sesamoid bone of knee-joint.
Pat´ent, a. Open.
Pathol´ogy, n. Physiology of disease.
Pec´ten, n. Same as Marsupium (which see).
Pec´tinate, Pec´tinated, a. Having tooth-like projections, like those of a comb.
Pectina´tion, n. Comb-like toothing.
Pec´toral, a. Pertaining to the breast. The pectoral muscles of birds, three in number, are the principal ones in point of bulk in most birds; they move the wing as a whole.
Pec´tus, n. Breast. (62.) Anterior portion of lower part of trunk, between jugulum and abdomen; properly, the region overlying and containing the breast-bone, but generally restricted to the more forward swelling portion of such region.
Pe´des, n.; pl. of pes. Feet. (96.) Leg beyond the end of the tibia.
Ped´icel, n. Narrow foot-stalk or stem by which an organ is attached. Same as peduncle.
Pelag´ic, a. Frequenting the high seas.
Pel´licle, n. Any very delicate membrane.
Pel´ma, n. The track; entire lower surface of the toes. (114.)
Pel´vic, a. Pertaining to the pelvis.
Pel´vis, n. Cavity of the body formed by the ossa innominata, sacrum, and coccyx; also, these bones collectively.
Pe´nial, a. Pertaining to the penis.
Penicil´late, a. Brushy-tipped.
Pe´nis, n. The male intromittent organ.
Pen´na, n. A feather. Generally a contour-feather (pluma), as distinguished from a down-feather (plumula); particularly, a large stiff feather of the wing or tail, one of the remiges or rectrices.
Penna´ceous, a. Denoting a perfect feather complete in all the parts a feather can have; distinguished from plumulaceous.
Pen´niform, a. Noting a muscle whose fibres are arranged alongside of a central tendon, like the web of a feather.
Per´forate, a. Pierced through. (Said especially of the nostrils when without a septum.)
Pericar´dium, n. Bag holding the heart.
Pericra´nium, n. Soft parts enclosing the skull; especially the periosteum of the bones.
Perios´teum, n. Membranous investment of bone.
Peripheral Parts, n. pl. Superficial, as opposed to interior, parts.
Periph´ery, n. Superficies; contour.
Peristal´tic, a. Denoting the peculiar motion of the intestines by which their contents are urged onward; the peristole.
Peritone´um, n. Thin smooth serous membrane lining the belly, and investing most of the contained organs.
Perone´al, a. Pertaining to the fibula.
Perone´us, a. for n. Name of a fibular muscle.
Per´vious, a. Open. Used synonymously with perforate in respect of the nostrils, but better restricted to the opposite of impervious or closed (as to an external opening).
Pes, n.; pl. pedes (which see). Foot. (96.)
Pes´sulus, n. Cross-bone of the syrinx; bony bar across lower end of windpipe, at point of forking into the bronchi.
Petro´sal, a. (Used substantively.) Same as petrous.
Pe´trous, a. Stony; hence, hard. The petrous bone is an element of the temporal bone.
Pha´lanx, n.; pl. phalan´ges. Commonly any bone of a finger or toe. Equivalent to internode or joint (not articulation). Properly in such application lacking the singular number, phalanges being the row or series of the small digital bones, taken collectively. (120.)
Pharynge´al, a. Pertaining to the pharynx.
Phar´ynx, n. Back compartment of the mouth, leading directly into the œsophagus.
Phren´ic, n. Pertaining to the diaphragm.
Phys´ical, a. Bodily; material. Opposed to mental or psychical.
Physiog´nomy, n. Countenance, in respect to temper of mind; general appearance, in respect to habits.
Physiol´ogy, n. Science of animal or vegetable economy; science of bodily functions, processes, operations. It is less comprehensive than biology, or the science of life, as it takes account only of material or physical, not psychical, offices.
Pi´a Ma´ter, n. Soft vascular membrane immediately investing the brain.
Pi´cine, a. Woodpecker-like.
Pictu´ra, n. Pattern of coloring.
Pig´ment, n. Coloring-matter.
Pil´eus (also written pileum), n. The cap; top of head from base of bill to nape. (30.)
Pin´eal Body, n. A small organ associated with the brain.
Pin´ion, n. Part of the wing beyond the wrist exclusive of the feathers; usually the metacarpus and phalanges; the hand bone. Not technically used synonymously with quill or wing.
Pin´nated, a. Having little wing-like tufts of feathers on the neck.
Pin´niform, a. An epithet of the penguin’s wing; fin-like.
Pisciv´orous, a. Fish-eating.
Pitu´itary, a. That secretes mucus. Pituitary membrane, the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. Pituitary gland, a certain appendage of the brain.
Pla´ga, n. Stripe of color.
Plan´ta, a. Back of tarsus, homologically the sole. (106.)
Plan´tar, a. Pertaining to the sole. A certain muscle is the plantaris.
Plan´tigrade, a. Walking on the back of the tarsus as well as on the soles of the toes. Many pygopodous birds are plantigrade.
Plas´ma, n. Colorless fluid of the blood.
Plas´tic, a. That may be moulded. Forming or serving to form; histogenetic. Plastic force. See Nisus Formativus.
Pleu´ra, n. Membrane lining the thorax and investing the lungs.
Pleurapoph´ysis, n. Segment of the hæmal arch next to the centrum. The vertebral rib of a bird is a pleurapophysis.
Plex´us, n. Union in network of nerves, vessels, or fibres. Said especially of the anastomosis of nerves.
Pli´ca Ala´ris, or Pli´ca Preala´ris, n. The feathered fold of skin on the front border of the wing stretched by an elastic tendon from the shoulder to the wrist, rendering the smooth straight anterior border of the wing. (Plica alaris is rarely used for the fold or bend of the wing.)
Pli´ca Interdigita´lis, n. Webbing between the toes. Same as palama.
Pli´cæ Primiti´væ, n. pl. Primitive folds; certain parallel lines observed in the early embryonal trace.
Plu´ma, n. A feather in general. Compare Penna and Plumula. (1.) A feather of which the two webs are equal and alike is called isopogonous: otherwise anisopogonous.
Plu´mage, n. The feathers, collectively; Ptilosis (which see).
Plum´beous, a. Having the color of tarnished lead; dull bluish-gray.
Plum´iped, a. Having the feet feathered.
Plu´mose, Plu´mous, a. Feathery; in general, having feathers; feathered. Compare Pennaceous and Plumulaceous.
Plu´mula, n. A down feather, lacking certain qualities and parts of a penna.
Plumula´ceous, n. Downy. Compare Pennaceous.
Pneumat´ic, a. Relating to the respiratory system; permeated with air.
Pneumogas´tric, a. Pertaining to lungs and belly; a name of the most extensive cranial nerve.
Podarth´rum, n. Foot-joint; the articulation of the toes collectively with the metatarsus. (100.)
Po´dium, n. Foot. (Same as pes.) Generally used, however, for the toes collectively without the shank. (112.)
Podothe´ca, n. Whole envelope of tarsus and toes. (101.)
Pogo´nium, n.; pl. pogonia. Web or vanes of a feather. (147.) Pogonium externum, outer web (farthest from middle line of the body). Pogonium internum, inner web. See Pluma.
Pol´lex, n. Thumb. The joint which bears the alula is so called, though it is homologous with the index or second finger. Spina pollicaris, or Tuberculum pollicare, the horny spur on the wing of some birds.
Polyg´amous, a. Mating with more than one female, like the domestic cock.
Polymor´phic, n. Of many forms; consisting of, or containing, several different types of structure: as, a polymorphic group.
Polymy´oid, a. Having numerous syringeal muscles; noting a group equivalent to Oscines.
Polyno´mial, n. or a. Name of more than two words. Consisting of several words. The polynomial nomenclature is obsolete.
Polyto´kous, a. Multiparous; producing many young.
Pons, n. Bridge. Certain parts of the brain.
Poplite´al, a. Pertaining to the back of the knee.
Por´tal Circula´tion. Passage of blood from the capillaries of one organ to those of another, as is conspicuous in certain of the digestive viscera.
Postax´ial, a. Situate on the external or posterior (ulnar or fibular) side of a limb.
Poste´rior Portion. (8.) See Uræum.
Posterior Toe. (125.) The hind-toe, or that one directed backward, is generally the hallux; often also the fourth or outer; rarely the second or inner. The hallux is generally meant by posterior toe.
Postor´bital, a. Situate behind the eye.
Pow´der-down Feath´ers, n. pl. Peculiar imperfect feathers, in a matted patch, which grow continually, and as constantly break down, with a scurfy exfoliation, and pervaded with a greasy substance; they are especially conspicuous in the heron tribe, but are also found elsewhere.
Præax´ial, a. Situate on the internal or anterior (radial or tibial) side of a limb.
Præco´ces, n. pl. An obsolete group of birds, able to run about and feed themselves at birth.
Præco´cial, n. Belonging to the Præcoces; having the nature of Præcoces.
Præpec´tus, n. Fore-breast; region of the craw. Not well distinguished from jugulum.
Premax´illary (bone), a. The foremost and principal bone of the upper jaw. Intermaxillary is synonymous.
Prep´uce, n. Foreskin. The homologous structure occurs in some birds. Preputial, pertaining to the foreskin.
Pressiros´tral, a. Having a bill like that of a plover. (Obsolete.)
Prester´num, n. Anterior segment of the breast-bone.
Pri´mary, n.; pl. primaries. Any one of the (usually ten, often nine, rarely eleven) large stiff quills growing upon the pinion or hand-bone, as distinguished from the secondaries which grow upon the forearm. They form the tip of the wing, and much of its surface.
Pri´mary Wing-coverts, n. pl. Those overlying the bases of the primaries.
Proce´res or Pro´ceri, n. pl. Same as Ratitæ (which see).
Prolig´erous, a. See Yolk.
Prona´tion, n. A particular movement of the radius upon the ulna, by which the hand turns over,—in birds it is very slight, if it occur at all. The reverse movement is termed supination. The muscles effecting it are pronators and supinators.
Proöt´ic, a. for n. An element of the auditory capsule.
Prosenceph´alon, n. A certain tract of the brain, the third from behind.
Pro´toplasm, n. Primitive common embryonic tissue, out of which different organs and parts are formed.
Protover´tebræ, n. pl. First trace of the backbones.
Protrac´tile, Protru´sile, a. Susceptible of being thrust forward or out, as the tongue of most woodpeckers.
Proventric´ulus, n. Part of gullet, usually enlarged, next to gizzard, having solvent glands for digestion. It is the true stomach of a bird, as distinguished from the gizzard or grinding stomach.
Prox´imal, a. Proximate; nearest or next to any centre or axis. Opposed to distal or terminal.
Psilopæ´des, n. pl. A group of psilopædic birds, further distinguished by being born weak and helpless, fed and reared in the nest. The term gymnopædes is synonymous.
Psilopæ´dic, a. Having down growing only from the future pterylæ, as the precursor of the future plumage, to which it is subsequently affixed for a while and then falls off.
Pso´as, n. Name of certain pelvic muscles.
Pterapoph´ysis, n. Certain process of cranial bones.
Pter´na, n. Heel-pad. (115.)
Ptero´mata, n. pl. (This word is of uncertain meaning.) (89 ?)
Pter´ygoid (bone), n. A slender bone connecting the quadrate with the palatine.
Pter´yla, n.; pl. pterylæ. Area or tract on the skin where feathers grow.
Pterylog´raphy, n. A description of the plumage, especially with reference to the distribution of the feathers on the skin.
Pterylo´sis, n. Plumage, considered with reference to its distribution on the skin.
Pti´la, n. (This word is of uncertain meaning.) (86 ?)
Ptilopæ´des, n. pl. Ptilopædic birds. Such are generally able to run about at birth, or at least to feed themselves. Dasypædes is synonymous.
Ptilopæ´dic, a. Clothed at birth with floccus, which sprouts not only from the future pterylæ, but also from apteria.
Ptilo´sis, n. Plumage. (3.)
Pu´bic, a. Pertaining to the pubis.
Pu´bis, n. The most anterior bone of the pelvis. In birds the ossa pubis or pubes are separate, there being no pubic symphysis, and directed more or less backward.
Pul´lus, n. A chick; young bird, before its first complete plumage.
Pul´monary, a. Pertaining to the lungs; relating to respiration.
Pul´sus, Pulse, n. Beating of the arteries.
Punc´tate, a. Dotted; pitted; studded with points.
Punc´tum Sa´liens, n. First trace of the embryonic heart.
Pupil´la, n. Central black disc circumscribed by the iris; the pupil (a hole, not a substance).
Pupil´lary, a. Pertaining to the pupil.
Pygop´odes, n. pl. A group of birds distinguished by the far backward position, and deep burial, in common integument, of the legs.
Pygop´odous, a. Belonging to Pygopodes, or having the character of that group.
Py´gostyle, n. Last coccygeal vertebra, of peculiar size and shape in recent birds; also called the vomer.
Pylor´ic, a. Pertaining to the pylorus.
Pylo´rus, n. Opening from gizzard into duodenum; especially, valve guarding this orifice.
Pyr´iform, a. Pear-shaped.
Q.
Quadran´gular, a. Four-edged or four-angled.
Quad´rate, a. Squared.
Quad´rate Bone, n. See Os Quadratum. A peculiarly shaped bone interposed between the lower jaw and the rest of the skull.
Quadrilat´eral, a. Four-sided.
Quadriloc´ular, a. Four-chambered, as the heart of higher vertebrates is.
Quar´ry, n. Prey of raptorial birds.
Quill, n. See Penna. (2, 75, 76, 145.)
Qui´nary, a. Noting a certain absurd system of classification which presumes that there are five types, or sets of objects, in every natural group.
Quin´cunx, n. Set of five, arranged thus,
R.
Ra´dial, a. Pertaining to the radius.
Ra´dii, n. pl. Barbs of a main feather.
Ra´dii Accesso´rii, n. pl. Barbs of the supplementary feather.
Radio´li, n. pl. Barbules (which see).
Radio´li Accesso´rii, n. pl. Barbules of the supplementary feather, aftershaft or hypoptilum.
Ra´dius, n. Outer bone of forearm.
Ra´mus, n.; pl. rami. Branch or fork. Gnathidea.
Raph´e, n. Line of separation of two parts of an organ when prominent or otherwise distinguished.
Rapto´rial, a. Pertaining to birds of prey.
Rati´tæ, n. pl. Birds with flat sternum, as ostriches, emus or cassowaries, and the apteryx.
Rau´cous, a. Hoarse-voiced.
Rec´trix, n.; pl. rectrices. Quills of the tail. (70.) (The singular is little used.)
Rec´tum, n. Lower straight gut.
Rec´tus, a. Name of certain muscles.
Recurved´, a. Bent regularly and gradually upward.
Reflect´ed, a. Turned backward.
Reflec´tion, n. Play of color changing in different lights.
Reg´imen, n. Diet.
Re´gio, Re´gion, n. Portion of the body in any way distinguished; dorsal region; cervical region.
Re´mex, n.; pl. remiges. Quill of the wing. (75, 76.) (Little used in the singular.)
Re´nal, a. Pertaining to the kidneys.
Re´te, n. Same as plexus.
Retic´ulate, a. Marked with network of lines.
Reticula´tion, n. Network; mosaic.
Ret´ina, n. Expansion of the optic nerve within the eye, upon which images of objects are impressed.
Retrac´tile, a. Susceptible of being drawn back and driven forward as a hawk’s claw.
Retrorse´, a. Directed backward.
Rhach´is, n.; pl. rhachides. Scapus exclusive of calamus; shaft of a feather, bearing the webs, without the hollow horny barrel. (146.) Also, the spinal column.
Rhamphothe´ca, n. Covering of the whole bill. (12.)
Rhi´nal, a. Pertaining to the nose.
Rhinenceph´alon, n. Foremost tract of the brain, the fourth from behind.
Rhinothe´ca, n. Covering of the upper mandible. (13.)
Rhizonych´ium, n. Terminal bone of a toe bearing a claw. (122.) (Little used.)
Rhom´boid, a. Lozenge-shaped. Name of a muscle of the shoulder-blade.
Ric´tus, n. Gape of the mouth.
Ridge, n. Culmen (which see). (20.)
Ri´ma, n. Outline of a slit-like opening.
Ri´ma Glot´tidis, n. Opening of the glottis.
Ri´ma Oris, n. Equivalent to Commissure (which see).
Ros´trum, n. Bill; beak; projecting forepart of head of birds; of two jaws, upper and lower, consisting of a frame of certain bones over which is stretched unfeathered skinny or horny membrane, the rhamphotheca. (9.)
Round´ed (tail), a. Having the central feathers longest, the rest successively gradually and slightly shorter. A tail is double-rounded when, with central feathers shorter than the next, the rest are graduated as before.
Ru´diment, n. A beginning.
Rudimen´tary, a. Undeveloped; imperfectly elaborated; existing only in its beginnings.
Ruff, n. Set of lengthened or otherwise modified or peculiarly colored feathers around the throat or whole neck.
Ru´ga, n. Ridge or raised fold; wrinkle.
Rugose´ or Ru´gous, a. Wrinkled.
Rump, n. Uropygium (which see). (60.)
S.
Sac´ral, a. Pertaining to the sacrum.
Sac´rum, n. A compound bone of the spine, composed of several anchylosed vertebræ of the pelvic region, with which the iliac bones are sutured.
Sac´ro-coccyge´al, a. Pertaining to the sacrum considered as comprising also several coccygeal vertebræ.
Sag´ittate, a. Arrow-head shaped; an elongated cordate figure with pointed lobes.
Sali´va, n. Spittle.
Sal´ivary Glands. Organs secreting saliva.
Sal´tatory, a. Progressing by leaps. Opposed to ambulatory or gradient.
San´guis, n. Blood.
Saphe´na, n. Principal vein of the leg.
Sarcolem´ma, n. Same as myolemma.
Sartor´ius, a. Name of a certain muscle of the leg.
Saurop´sida, n. A primary group of vertebrata, comprising birds and reptiles.
Sauru´ræ, n. pl. Name of a certain primary group of Aves formed for the reception of the Archæopteryx.
Scab´rous, a. Scabby; scurfy; scaly. Said of a surface roughened as if in such manner.
Scanso´rial, a. Capable of climbing, as a woodpecker.
Scapholun´ar, n. One of the carpals or wrist-bones.
Scap´ula, n. Shoulder-blade.
Scap´ular, a. Pertaining to the shoulder-blade; as, scapular region.
Scap´ular, n. Any feather of a series growing on the pteryla humeralis, in an oblique line across the humerus. Scapulars is generally said, the plural designating these feathers collectively; they are also called scapularies. (80.) The scapulars fill up what would otherwise be an interval between the inner border of the wing and the body. Illiger’s word, parapterum, seems to designate them, but is also used in an entirely different sense.
Sca´pus, n. Entire stem of a feather; calamus + rachis. (144.)
Schizognath´ous, a. Having the palate bones separated.
Schizorhi´nal, a. Having the nasal bones separated.
Sci´atic, n. Same as ischiatic; pertaining to the ischia.
Scis´sion, n. A cutting apart; fissuration.
Scis´sor-shaped (tail), a. Deeply forficate.
Sclerot´ic, n. Dense opaque fibrous membrane forming most of the eyeball.
Scol´loped, a. Lobed. (137.)
Scolo´pacine, a. Snipe-like.
Scro´tum, n. Bag holding testicles.
Scutel´late, a. Provided with scutella.
Scutel´late Tarsus. (110.)
Scutel´lum, n.; pl. scutella. Scale. Any one of the divisions into which the podotheca may be broken up by regular lines of impression; especially such divisions when large and in regular vertical series; various smaller divisions being called reticulations. Scutella occur especially on the anterior face of the tarsus and top of the toes; often also on the back of the tarsus; sometimes they completely encircle the tarsus. When thus large, some ornithologists call them scuta; then using scutella for the smaller irregular reticulations. Scutella are sometimes obsolete. (Commonly, but erroneously, written scutellæ.) (109.)
Scu´tiform, a. Scalelike.
Scu´tum, n.; pl. scuta. See Scutellum.
Sec´ondary Cov´erts. The smaller wing-feathers growing from the forearm and its region, overlying the bases of the secondary quills. (89.)
Sec´ondary Quills or Sec´ondaries. Quills growing upon the forearm.
Seg´ment, n. A portion specially distinguished. The tarsus is a segment of the leg.
Segmenta´tion, n. Division into parts. Particularly applied to a process which takes place in the vitellus or yolk during incubation.
Sel´la Tur´cica, n. A certain part of the sphenoid bone.
Se´men, n. The male fluid, containing spermatozoa.
Semi- (in composition). Half.
Semilu´nar, a. Crescentic.
Semimembrano´sus, n. A certain muscle of the thigh.
Sem´inal, a. Pertaining to the male generative fluid.
Seminif´erous, a. Secreting or conveying semen.
Semipal´mate, a. Half webbed; having a basal membrane between the front toes not reaching to their ends.
Sem´iplume, n. Feather with pennaceous stem and plumulaceous web.
Semitendino´sus, n. A certain muscle of the thigh.
Se´nile, a. Aged; pertaining to old age.
Sense, n. Faculty of apprehending external impressions; as, sense of sight, hearing.
Sen´sory, a. Relating to the senses.
Sep´tum, n. A partition. Same as Dissepiment.
Se´rous, a. Thin, watery (of fluids).
Ser´rate, a. Toothed, like a saw.
Serra´tus, a. for n. A muscle of the trunk.
Se´rum, n. Watery portion of animal fluids, especially of the blood.
Ses´amoid (bone), n. A small rotund bone situate in the substance of a tendon about a joint.
Ses´sile, a. Seated; i.e. without a stem or peduncle.
Seta´ceous, a. Bristly; bristled.
Se´tæ, n. pl. Bristles.
Se´tiform, a. Bristle-like.
Sex´ual, a. Pertaining to sex.
Sex´us, n. Sex.
Shaft, n. (146.)
Shank, n. Properly, the shin or tibial segment of the leg. In case of birds oftener used, but incorrectly, for the tarsus (tarso-metatarsus).
Shin, n. (98.)
Shoulder, n. (68.)
Sib´ilant, a. Hissing.
Side-neck, n. (64.)
Side of Tarsus, n. (105.)
Side of Toes, n. (119.)
Sig´moid, a. S-shaped. Several parts are so called.
Sign, Sig´num, n. Any character or other arbitrary abbreviation of a word or term.
Prominent among those used in ornithology are: ♂, male; ♀, female; ⚪, juv. young, juvenis; ad., adult; hornot., hornotine; pull., pullus, chick; sen. or sr., senior, senex, old; pt., plumage; nupt. temp., in the breeding season; æst., summer; hyem., winter; vern., spring; aut., autumnal; mus., museum; coll., collection, cabinet; syn., synonym; =, equal to; >, more than; <, less than; +, plus; ×, in a different sense; v., vide, see; cf., confer, consult; i.e. or h.e., that is; l. c., loco citato, in the place just cited; op. cit., the work cited; h. l., hoc loco, here; auct., auctt., author, authors; script., writer; p., page; vol. or t., volume, tome; pl. or tb., plate, tabula; f., or fig., figure; infra, below (reference); supra, above; qu., query; ?, query; !, certainty, from autopsy; err., error; corr., corrigenda; add., addenda; descr., description; id., the same (person); ib. or ibid., there (in the same place); quid? what (may it be)? sc., scilicet, to wit; viz., videlicet, namely; excl., exclusive of; n., nova, novum, new; var., variety; sp., species; gen., genus; fam., family; ord., order; n. sp., n. g., new species, genus. Authors’ names are constantly abbreviated, with the first one, two, or three, or other most characteristic letters.
Sincip´ital, a. Pertaining to the sinciput.
Sin´ciput, n. Anterior half of pileus, from bill to vertex. (32.)
Sinis´trad, a. Toward the left.
Sinistral, a. On the left side.
Si´nus, n. Name of numerous and various cavities of the body.
Skel´eton, n. Sum of the bones of a body. It generally means only the endoskeleton proper, or internal bony framework of the body, as distinguished from exoskeleton or dermoskeleton.
Sole, n. (106.)
Soles of Toes, n. (118.)
So´leus, n. A muscle of the leg.
Spat´ulate, a. Spoon-shaped; contracted near the end, where enlarged.
Spe´cies, n. Aggregate of individuals related by genetic succession without notable change of physical characters.
Specif´ic, a. Of, or relating to, a species; as, specific name, specific character.
Spec´ulum, n. Mirror; brightly colored area on the secondaries, especially of ducks.
Sperm, n. The secretion of the testicles; same as semen.
Spermat´ic, a. Pertaining to semen, or to the organs concerned in its production and emission.
Spermatozo´a, n. pl. Essence of the male seed.
Sphe´noid (bone), n. A compound bone of the skull, constituting much of the second cranial segment.
Sphenoid´al, n. Relating to the sphenoid.
Sphinc´ter, n. An annular muscle constricting or closing a natural orifice; especially, sphincter ani.
Spi´nal, a. Relating to the backbone.
Spina´lis, a. for n. Name of a certain muscle of the back.
Spine, n. Backbone. Also, any sharp projecting point of bone or horn.
Spinose´ or Spi´nous, a. Sometimes said of a mucronate feather.
Splanch´nic, a. Visceral.
Splanchnol´ogy, n. Science or study of the viscera.
Spleen, n. A deep red, soft, spongy, ductless and extremely vascular, abdominal organ of uncertain function.
Sple´nial, a. Name of a certain element of the mandible.
Sple´nius, a. for n. A certain cervical muscle.
Spur, n. (108.)
Spu´rious, a. False; bastard; imperfect; rudimentary.
Spu´rious Quill, n. The first primary, when rudimentary or very short.
Spu´rious Wing, n. Feathers growing on the so-called thumb of birds.
Squam´ous, a. Scaly.
Sta´pes, n. One of the auditory ossicles; the stirrup-bone, becoming the columella in Sauropsida.
Steganop´odous, a. Having all four toes full-webbed. (141.)
Stel´late, a. Starred.
Stem, n. (144.) See Scapus.
Ster´ile, a. Unfruitful; infecund; barren; noting the condition of the female corresponding to impotence of the male.
Ster´nal, a. Relating to the breast-bone.
Ster´num, n. Breast-bone.
Stethiæ´um, n. Entire anterior half of a bird. (7.) (Little used.)
Stig´ma, n. See Calyx.
Stip´ula, n. Newly sprouted feather.
Sto´ma, n. Mouth.
Strag´ulum, n. Mantle; back and folded wings taken together. Same as pallium. (61.) (Little used.)
Stra´tum, n. Layer.
Streak, n. Lengthwise color-mark; not so strong, firm, or large as stripe.
Stri´a, n.; pl. striæ. Stripe; streak.
Stri´ate, a. Striped; streaked.
Stri´dent, a. Shrill.
Strig´ine, a. Owl-like; belonging to the Strigidæ.
Stripe, n. A long, strong, sharp streak.
Stro´ma, n. Essential texture of any organ.
Stru´thious, a. Ostrich-like.
Sty´loid or Sty´liform, a. Shaped like a peg or pin.
Sub- (in composition). Under; less than; not quite; somewhat; slightly so. Sub- diminishes the force, point, or extent of application of a term.
Sub-ba´sal, a. Near the base.
Sub-class, n. An intermediate group often recognized between class and order, of less taxonomic value than the former.
Subcla´vian, a. Beneath the clavicle.
Subfam´ily, n. A group between a family and a genus.
Subge´nus, n. A group between a genus and a species. (Often used; of extremely indefinite value.)
Submax´illary, a. or n. Under the jaw. Also, equivalent to inferior maxillary or mandible.
Subscap´ular, a. or n. Under the shoulder-blade; name of a muscle.
Subtyp´ical, a. Not quite true to the type; deviating somewhat; slightly aberrant. It expresses a condition between typical and aberrant.
Sub´ulate, a. Awl-shaped.
Suffra´go, n. The tibio-tarsal joint; the heel-joint. (103.)
Suffu´sion, n. A “running” shade of color.
Sul´cate, a. Grooved or channelled.
Sul´cus, n. A groove or channel.
Su´per- (in composition). Over; above; beyond; more than. The opposite qualification of sub-.
Supercil´iary, a. Pertaining to region of eyebrow, as a streak of color over the eye.
Supercil´ium, n. Eyebrow. (43.)
Super-fam´ily, n. A group containing one or more families, yet not of ordinal rank.
Superfic´ies, n. The exterior in general.
Supe´rior, a. Lying over, above, or uppermost.
Superoccip´ital, a. for n. The superior element of the occipital bone.
Super-or´der, n. A group containing one or more orders, yet not of the taxonomic rank of a class. (N. B. Super-genus is a word not yet used.)
Supina´tor, n. Name of a muscle that effects, or tends to effect, the reverse movement of pronation (which see).
Supra- (in composition). Same as super-.
Supracil´iary, a. See Supraorbital.
Supra-occip´ital, a. for n. Superior element of the occipital bone.
Supraor´bital, a. Situate over the orbit.
Supra-renal (body), a. for n. See Adrenal.
Suran´gular, a. Name of a certain element of the mandible.
Sur´sum. Over; above.
Su´ture, n. A kind of immovable articulation.
Sym´bol, n. See Sign.
Sympathetic System (of nerves). That portion of the nervous system not belonging to the cerebro-spinal axis.
Sym´physis, n. A growing together; as, symphysis pubis, symphysis menti.
Synarthro´sis, n. Same as suture.
Synchondro´sis, n. Cartilaginous union or articulation.
Syndac´tyle or Syndac´tylous, a. Having two toes immovably coherent for a considerable distance.
Syngne´sious (foot), a. Same as syndactyle foot.
Syn´onym, n.; pl. syn´onyms or synon´yma. A different word of the same or similar meaning. Archæopteryx macrurus, Owen, is a synonym of Arch. lithographica, Meyer. Synonym is the converse of homonym, which is the same word, of different meanings. Thus, Sylvicola, Swainson, a bird, is a homonym of Sylvicola, Humphreys, a mollusk. (Also written synonyme.)
Synon´ymous, a. Expressing the same meaning in different terms. (Synonymical is also written, but rarely.) (Also written synonomous.)
Synon´ymy, n. A collection of synonyms. In this sense, synonymy is a burden and a disgrace to ornithology. Also, in the abstract, expression of the same meaning by different words. (Also written synonomy.)
Syno´via, n. The peculiar glairy fluid which lubricates joints. So, synovial fluid; synovial membrane.
Syn´thesis, n. Act of putting together this and that fact or observation, whence to deduce a generalization; opposed to analysis. Also, merely composition.
Syringe´al, a. Pertaining to the lower larynx.
Sy´rinx, n. The lower larynx, situate at the bottom of the trachea, at the fork of the bronchi. The vocal organ of birds.
Sys´tole, n. Contraction of the heart, urging on the blood. Opposed to diastole (which see).
T.
Tac´tile, a. Pertaining to the sense of touch.
Tail, n. (69.) See Cauda.
Tail-cov´erts, n. pl. (71.) See Calypteria.
Tail-feathers, n. pl. (70.) See Rectrices.
Ta´lus, n. Same as Calcaneus (which see).
Tar´sal, a. Relating to the tarsus, or tarso-metatarsus.
Tar´so-metatar´sus, n. The morphologically correct term for the segment, commonly called the tarsus in descriptive ornithology,—that bone reaching from the tibia to the toes, and which is really nearly all metatarsus, but has at its top one of the small tarsal bones confluent with it, so that in itself it comprehends part of tarsus as well as all of metatarsus.
Tar´sus, n. The ankle-bones, collectively. In birds, there are no persistently separate tarsal bones, since the two proximal ones are confluent with the extremity of the tibia, forming its so-called malleoli, and the distal one anchyloses with the metatarsus, leaving the tarsal joint between them, as in reptiles, not between the tarsal bones and the tibia, as in mammalia. But, in descriptive ornithology, the whole segment between the tibia and the toes, commonly called the shank, is usually called tarsus. See, also, Tarso-metatarsus and Metatarsus. (103½.) (N. B. In the foregoing “Explanation,” etc., the word tarsus is defined as used in descriptions, not in its morphologically correct sense.)
Tar´sus, Back of. (106.) See Planta Tarsi.
Tar´sus, Booted. (111.) See Boot.
Taxider´my, a. Art of preparing and preserving skins so as to represent the appearance of the living animal.
Taxonom´ic, a. Classificatory.
Taxon´omy, n. Classification; rational arrangement according to some scientific principle. Biotaxy.
Tec´trices, n. pl. Coverts; the smaller feathers, either of wing or tail, but especially of the former; tail-coverts being calypteria. (72, 73, 83.)
Tec´trices Alæ, n. pl. Wing-coverts.
Tec´trices Caudæ, n. pl. Tail-coverts.
Tec´trices Inferio´res, n. pl. Under coverts. (73.)
Tec´trices Perver´sæ, n. pl. Median upper wing-coverts, of the secondary set.
Tec´trices Superio´res, n. pl. Upper coverts. (72.)
Teg´mina, n. pl. Same as tectrices.
Teg´ument, n. Same as integument.
Teleolog´ical, a. Relating to teleology.
Teleol´ogy, n. Doctrine of final causes; science of adaptation of means to ends.
Tem´ples, n. pl. (44.) See Tempora.
Tem´pora, n. pl. Temples; portion of sides of head between eyes and ears. (Scarcely used.)
Ten´do or Ten´don, n. Fibrous cord or band of attachment of muscle to bone or other parts; a “leader.” Tendo achillis, hamstring.
Tenuiros´tral, a. Slender-billed.
Teratol´ogy, n. Science of monsters.
Te´res or Te´rete, a. Cylindrical and tapering; fusiform. Also, name of a muscle.
Ter´gum, n. Lower back, between interscapilium and uropygium. (Not well distinguished, and little used.) (59.)
Ter´minal, a. At the end.
Terminolog´ical, a. Relating to terminology.
Terminol´ogy, n. Science of calling things by their right names according to some determined principle. Nomenclature.
Ter´tials, Ter´tiaries, n. pl. Large inner quills of wing growing from humerus or elbow. The two or three longer inner true secondaries (which see) are often incorrectly called tertials, especially when distinguished by size, shape or color from the rest of the secondaries. (76.)
Tes´tis, n.; pl. testes. Testicles; male organs secreting spermatozoa.
Tetradac´tyle, a. Four-toed.
Thal´amus, n. A certain tract of the brain.
The´ca, n. Sheath.
The´nar, a. Palmar; plantar.
The´ory, n. Scientific speculation. Philosophical explanation. Result of inference from established principles.
Thermog´enous, a. Heat-producing, as all vital processes are.
Thigh, n. Segment of leg between hip and knee. (97.)
Thorac´ic, a. Pertaining to the chest.
Tho´rax, n. The chest; segment of the body enclosed by ribs, sternum, and certain vertebræ, containing heart and lungs.
Throat, n. See Gula. (52.)
Thumb, n. In birds, the so-called thumb, upon which the alula, or bastard wing, grows, is homologically the index-finger. Penguins lack this segment.
Thyrohy´al, n. An element of the hyoid bone.
Thy´roid, a. Shield-shaped. Name of principal laryngeal cartilage.
Thy´roid Car´tilage. One of those forming the larynx.
Tib´ia, n. Principal and inner bone of leg between knee and heel; the shin-bone.
Tib´ial, a. Pertaining to the tibia.
Toe, Toes, n. (116.)
Tomium, n.; pl. tomia. The cutting edge of the bill. There is a superior or maxillary tomium, and an inferior or mandibular tomium; each is double (i.e. right and left); together they are the tomia, mutually apposed when the mouth is shut.
Top of Toes. (117.) See Acrodactylum.
Tor´quate, a. Ringed; collared.
Tor´ques, n. Ring or collar of color or of feathers otherwise distinguished. Lewis’s woodpecker has a cervical torques both in color and texture of the feathers.
Totipal´mate, a. Having all four toes webbed. Same as steganopodous.
Trach´ea, n. Windpipe.
Transverse´, a. Crosswise; in direction at right angle with longitudinal axis of the body.
Tread (of the cock), n. Cicatriculum; molecule. See Yolk.
Tri- (in composition). Thrice; treble.
Tri´ceps, n. A certain extensor muscle of wing and leg.
Tridac´tyle, a. Three-toed.
Trigem´imus, a. for n. A certain cranial nerve.
Trihe´dral, a. Three-sided.
Triv´ial, a. Said of a specific name. Opposed to generic.
Trochan´ter, n. Prominence at top of femur.
Troch´lea, n. A pulley; smooth bony surface over which a tendon plays.
Trun´cate, a. Cut squarely off.
Trun´cus, n. Trunk; body without its members. (56.)
Tuber´culum, n. Tubercle; a little lump or elevation.
Tu´nic, n. Enveloping membrane of various organs.
Tu´nica Albugin´ea, n. Dense whitish membranous investment of the testicles.
Tur´binal, a. Scroll-like; name of certain bones of nasal passages.
Tylar´i, n. pl. Pads under the toes. (123.)
Tym´panic (bone), a. for n. Same as Os Quadratum (which see).
Tym´panum, n. Ear-drum. Also, the naked inflatable air-sacs on the sides of the neck of grouse, an enlargement of the ordinary cervical reservoirs of air which communicate with the bronchi.
Type, n. Way; plan; mode. Also, sign or symbol. The type, or typical form, of a group is that which exhibits a given set of characters most perfectly. But the type of a genus is usually the species, if any, from which the generic characters were especially drawn up, without reference to such qualification; while, furthermore, the type of a species, in current acceptation, is merely the specimen from which the species was originally described, even though it may very inadequately represent such species.
Typ´ical, a. Of most usual structure; adhering strictly to a given plan of structure. (But compare Type.)
U.
Ul´na, n. Inner or posterior bone of forearm.
Ul´nar, a. Pertaining to the ulna.
Umbil´ical, a. Relating to the umbilicus.
Umbil´icate, a. Pitted, as if with an umbilicus.
Umbili´cus, n. Navel. Pitted scar, indicating point of entrance of placental vessels into the fœtus. Also, any similar pit or depression, as that on the scape of a feather at junction of rhachis and calamus.
Unarmed Toe. Toe bearing no claw. See Digitus Muticus. (133.)
Un´ciform, a. Hooked.
Under Jaw. See Mandibulum.
Under Parts. See Gastræum.
Under Tail-coverts. (13.) See Crissum.
Under Wing-coverts. (84.) See Tectrices.
Undula´tion, n. Wavy color-marks.
Unguic´ulate, a. Clawed.
Unguis, n.; pl. ungues. Claw.
Unip´arous, a. Producing but one young. Same as monotokous.
Upper Back. (58.) See Interscapilium.
Upper Jaw. (10.) See Maxilla.
Upper Parts. (5.) See Notæum.
Upper Tail-coverts. (72.) See Calypteria.
Upper Wing-coverts. (84.) See Tectrices.
Uræ´um, n. Hinder half of a bird. (8.) (Little used.)
Ure´a, n. A certain component of urine.
Ure´ter, n. Tube conveying urine from kidney to cloaca.
Ure´thra, n. Groove in penis for direction of the discharge.
U´rinary Bladder, n. A certain compartment of the cloaca, in some birds, is so named.
U´rine, n. Liquid excretion of the kidneys, in birds voided more or less mixed with the fæces.
Uro-gen´ital or Gen´ito-u´rinary, a. Said of organs common to the two offices implied in the words, or of such organs regarded as associate parts.
Urohy´al, n. Median backward process of the hyoid bone.
Uropyg´ium, n. Rump. (60.)
U´terus, n. Womb. Wanting in birds; but a lower tract of the oviduct where the eggshell is formed has been loosely so called.
V.
Vacu´ity, n. Deficiency in a part; as, a vacuity in the bony palate.
Vagi´na, n. Any sheath, in general. Particularly, the female sexual passage. In birds the lowermost tract of the oviduct is sometimes loosely so called.
Vane, n. (151.) See Vexillum.
Variety, n. A nascent species. Practically, the term designates a set of objects incompletely distinguished from others of the same species, by reason of slightness of the difference, or presence of connecting links.
Vas´cular, a. Permeated with blood vessels. Also equivalent to circulatory; as, the vascular system.
Vas Def´erens, n. Tube conveying semen from testes to cloaca.
Vas´tus, a. for n. A certain muscle of the thigh.
Vein, n. Vessel conveying blood from the capillaries to the heart. Artery carries blood from the heart.
Ve´næ Ca´væ, n. pl. Large veins pouring blood from the system into the heart.
Ve´nous, a. Pertaining to a vein; as, venous blood, the venous system.
Ven´ter, n. Lower belly. (Not well distinguished from abdomen, and little used.) (65.)
Ven´trad, a. Towards the belly.
Ven´tral, a. Pertaining to the belly.
Ven´tricle, n. Chamber of the heart, right or left, whence issue the pulmonary arteries and the aorta. Compare Auricle. Also, a cavity of the cerebrum.
Ven´tricous, a. Swollen; bulbous.
Ventric´ulus Bulbo´sus, n. Same as gigerium.
Ventric´ulus Succenturia´tus, n. Same as proventriculus.
Vermicula´tion, n. Very fine crosswise marking.
Ver´miform, a. Shaped like a worm; as, a woodpecker’s tongue. Lumbriciform is the same.
Ver´nal, a. Relating to the spring.
Verru´cous, a. Warty.
Ver´satile, n. Reversible; susceptible of turning either way.
Vertebra, n.; pl. vertebræ. Any bone of the spine; any one of the backbones.
Ver´tebral, a. Pertaining to the backbone.
Vertebrarte´rial (canal), a. for n. Passage for an artery through several cervical vertebræ.
Ver´tebrate, a. Having a backbone; also, used substantively for an animal with a backbone.
Ver´tex, n. Crown; highest central portion of pileus.
Vescic´ula Semina´lis, n. A structure, imperfect or wanting in birds, for storage of semen.
Vesti´tus, a. or n. Clothed, i.e. feathered. Clothing, i.e. plumage; as, vestitus nuptialis, breeding plumage.
Vexil´lum, n. Rhachis and web of a feather taken together; all of a feather excepting calamus.
Vibris´sa, n.; pl. vibrissæ. Bristly or bristle-tipped feather about the mouth of a bird.
Vic´tus, n. Food; diet.
Vil´li, n. pl. Soft papulous projections of membrane.
Vis´ceral, a. Pertaining to the viscera.
Vis´cus, n.; pl. viscera. Any interior organ of the body, but especially of the digestive system. The stomach is a viscus; the intestines are viscera.
Vi´sus, n. Vision; eyesight.
Vi´telline, a. Pertaining to the vitellus.
Vi´telline Mem´brane, n. An envelope of the vitellus.
Vitel´lus, n. Yolk (which see).
Vit´reous, a. Glassy; said of the humor in the back chamber of the eye.
Vit´ta, n. Broad band of color.
Vo´mer, n. A bone of the skull, lying at the base, in the median line, in advance of the sphenoid. Also, the peculiarly shaped and enlarged last bone of the tail, or pygostyle.
W.
Washed, a. As if overlaid with a thin layer of different color.
Wat´tle, n. A naked, fleshy, and usually wrinkled and highly colored skin hanging from the chin or throat, as in the cock and turkey.
Web, n. The vane of a feather, on either side of the rhachis.
Wedge-shaped, a. See Cuneate.
Whis´kered, a. Having lengthened or bristly feathers on the cheeks.
Wing, n. (73.) See Ala.
Wing, Bend of. (77.) See Flexura.
Wing-coverts, n. pl. (83.) See Tectrices.
Wolff´ian Bodies, n. Certain organs of the embryo associated with the uro-genitals.
X.
Xi´phoid, a. or n. Sword-shaped. Posterior prolongation of the sternum.
Y.
Yolk or Yelk, n. “Yellow” of an egg; a soft, opaque, yellow globular mass, enveloped in a proper membrane (the vitelline) and suspended in the white by the chalazæ. It has a central cavity full of a clear substance, furnished with a duct leading to a mass of cells termed proligerous disc; adhering to its surface is the cicatriculum, or “tread,” which becomes the embryo.
Z.
Zo´na Pellu´cida, n. Consolidated membranous envelope of the primitive ovum.
Zoölogy, n. Natural history of animals, of which ornithology is one department.
Zygapoph´ysis, a. Articular process of a vertebra.
Zygodac´tyle, a. Yoke-toed; having the toes in pairs, two before and two behind.
Zygo´ma, n. Malar bone and its connections.
Zygomat´ic, a. Pertaining to the malar bone.