[82] The wings of the May-fly are folded longitudinally and transversely, so that they are crumpled up into little squares.
[83] Kirby and Spence, vol. ii. 5th ed., p. 352.
[84] The furcula are usually united to the anterior part of the sternum by ligament; but in birds of powerful flight, where the wings are habitually extended for gliding and sailing, as in the frigate-bird, the union is osseous in its nature. “In the frigate-bird the furcula are likewise anchylosed with the coracoid bones.”—Comp. Anat. and Phys. of Vertebrates, by Prof. Owen, vol. ii. p. 66.
[85] “The os humeri, or bone of the arm, is articulated by a small rounded surface to a corresponding cavity formed between the coracoid bone and the scapula, in such a manner as to allow great freedom of motion.”—Macgillivray’s Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 33.
“The arm is articulated to the trunk by a ball-and-socket joint, permitting all the freedom of motion necessary for flight.”—Cyc. of Anat. and Phys., vol. iii. p. 424.
[86] Chabrier, as rendered by E. F. Bennett, F.L.S., etc.
[87] Linn. Trans. vii. p. 40.
[88] Vol. iii. p. 36.
[89] “The hobby falcon, which abounds in Bulgaria during the summer months, hawks large dragonflies, which it seizes with the foot and devours whilst in the air. It also kills swifts, larks, turtle-doves, and bee-birds, although more rarely.”—Falconry in the British Isles, by Francis Henry Salvin and William Brodrick. Lond. 1855.
[90] One of the best descriptions of the bones and muscles of the bird is that given by Mr. Macgillivray in his very admirable, voluminous, and entertaining work, entitled History of British Birds. Lond. 1837.