OCR Text |
Show 356 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON NEW [Apr. 4, about two thirds of its distance from the base : at about half an inch from the extremity it is still further reduced by more than one half, and at the same time curved gently outwards. The second primary Primaries of Lathria uropygialis, from inside. is very similar to the first, and nearly of the same length. The third, fourth, and fifth are still more abnormally attenuated, and *6 inch shorter than the first two. They are nearly of equal length ; but the third is slightly shorter than the fourth, and this than the fifth. The sixth primary is rather more normal in appearance, and a little longer than the fifth. The seventh, eighth and ninth are nearly equal in length and, next to the first and second, the longest in the wing. They are pointed at their extremities and but slightly turned outwards. The tenth and last primary is normal throughout: except at the end, which is pointed ; its outward curve is very slight. Besides this abnormality, the inner web of each primary is slightly turned upwards along its margin, so as to clasp the shaft of the next succeeding primary when the wing is expanded. The barbules, also, of the outer webs of the primaries from the fourth to the seventh inclusive, terminate in fine filaments. This structure is the same in two specimens of this singular bird, which are, no doubt, males. In another, which we take to be a |