| OCR Text |
Show 190 MR. J. G. GOODCHILD ON THE [Apr. 6, blade of a lancet closes into its sheath. The feature referred to can be better understood by reference to C, figure 8, taken from a living specimen of Calopsitta novae-hollandice, which represents the style prevailing throughout probably the whole of the Psittaci. Essentially the same pattern as is found in the Psittaci prevails also throughout the whole of the Striges, and also throughout the whole of the Accipitres, with the exception of Pernis, Pandion, Ggpogeranus, and the Cathartidse. These exceptional forms will be referred to again in their proper places. Fig. 9, representing the wing Fig. 9 a. Pkalacrocorax. of a Merlin, well illustrates the whole of the normal Accipitrine forms. Mr. Wolf's beautiful figures of the Birds of Prey all afford excellent illustrations of the same point, while, from a part of the world where experience has led us to expect minute accuracy of detail, we have the Japanese figure in metal of a species of Spizaetus, now amongst the choicest treasures at South Kensington Museum, which affords a correct illustration of the Accipitrine style of cubital coverts. Of the Pelicans, in the present connection, nothing satisfactory can be made out, on account of tbe lax and drooping condition of their feathers, even in health. But Phalacrocorax (fig. 9 a) gives us a style hardly distinguishable in any noticeable respect from that of the Accipitrines. On the other hand, Fregata, Sula, Plotus, and some other forms associated with them are widely removed, ptero-graphically, from the Cormorants. All the Herons and their immediate allies, Nycticorax (fig. 10), Botaurus, and, I believe, also Cancroma, closely follow the Accipitrine mode of imbrication. The principal 'difference lies in the reduced prominence of the supplementary row of lancet-like feathers (upper wing-coverts) so characteristic of the Birds of Prey and the Parrots. Healthy Night-Herons in immature plumage exhibit the Ardeine style of median cubital coverts remarkably well. The Cieoniidse, in regard to the point under notice, will fall to be described in another part of this paper. Fig. 9. \ / »\ \ Falco. |
