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Native to South America, the tricolored alectrurus measures only six inches in length.

Tricolored Alectrurus

Native to South America, the tricolored alectrurus measures only six inches in length.

"The arrangement shown in fig. 22, where a, a, a, a, are four barbs in transverse section, viewed from the cut surfaces, with their anterior, b, b, b, b, and posterior, c, c, c, c, barbules, the former bearing the hooklets which catch over the edge of the latter." Elliot Coues, 1884

Barbs

"The arrangement shown in fig. 22, where a, a, a, a, are four barbs in transverse section, viewed from…

"Fig. 21. -A single barbule, baring barbicels and hooklets; magnified; after Nitzsch. ...barbicels (another dimin. of barba), also called cilia, or lashes (fig. 21); and hamuli, or hooklets (Lat. hamulus, a little hook; fig 21). These are simply a sort of fringe to the barbules, just as if the lower edge of the barbules were frayed out, and only differ from each other in that barbicels are plain hair like processes, while hamuli are hooked at the end; they are not found on all feathers, nor on all parts of some feathers." Elliot Coues, 1884

Single Barbule

"Fig. 21. -A single barbule, baring barbicels and hooklets; magnified; after Nitzsch. ...barbicels (another…

The Twelve-Wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus) is a black and yellow bird of paradise named for its twelve wire-like feathers near its tail.

Twelve-Wired Bird of Paradise

The Twelve-Wired Bird of Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus) is a black and yellow bird of paradise named…

A wing of a bird.

Bird Wing

A wing of a bird.

A genus of birds. So called from the hair-like filaments with which some of the feathers end.

Criniger

A genus of birds. So called from the hair-like filaments with which some of the feathers end.

"Fig. 24. - Pterylosis of Cyoselus apus, drawn by Coues after Nitzsch; right hand upper, left hand lower, surface. 1 spinal tract; 2. humeral; 3. femoral; 4. capital; 5. alar; 6. caudal; 7. crural; 8. ventral." Elliot Coues, 1884

Pterylosis of Cypselus Apus

"Fig. 24. - Pterylosis of Cyoselus apus, drawn by Coues after Nitzsch; right hand upper, left hand lower,…

<i>Mergellus albellus</i>. "A small merganser or fishing duck...The male in adult plumage is a very beautiful bird, of a pure white, varied with black and gray, and tinged with green on the crested head; the length is about 17 inches. The female is smaller, with reddish-brown and gray plumage, and is called the red-headed smew." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Smew - A Merganser or Fishing Duck

Mergellus albellus. "A small merganser or fishing duck...The male in adult plumage is a very beautiful…

"The more angular the wing of birds - that is to say, the longer the feathers on the edge of the wing - the more rapidly does it propel itself through the air."

Wing of an Eagle

"The more angular the wing of birds - that is to say, the longer the feathers on the edge of the wing…

An instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, etc.

Fan

An instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, etc.

One of the growths, generally formed each of a central quill and a vane on each side of it, which make up the covering of a bird.

Feather

One of the growths, generally formed each of a central quill and a vane on each side of it, which make…

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it."

Feather Shaft

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it."

"Fig. - 20 - Two barbs, a, a, of a vane, bearing anterior, b, b, and posterior, c, barbules; enlarged; after Nitzsch." Elliot Coues, 1884

Structure of a Feather

"Fig. - 20 - Two barbs, a, a, of a vane, bearing anterior, b, b, and posterior, c, barbules; enlarged;…

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it."

Feather Tube

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it."

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it. The webs are convex above, and are thus enabled to resist flexion or fracture from beneath better than from any other direction."

Feather Web

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it.…

The flysnapper or phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) is a bird in the Ptilogonatidae family of silky-flycatchers.

Flysnapper on a Branch

The flysnapper or phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) is a bird in the Ptilogonatidae family of silky-flycatchers.

Also known as the Kinglet, the Golden-Crested Wren (Regulus cristatus) is the smallest of European birds. In America, only the hummingbird is less in size. It is one of the warblers (Sylviidæ). The length of the body is from three to six inches, there is a bright yellow crest, the back is yellowish olive green, the wings and tail ash brown with black and white markings. The Golden-Crested Wren is generally distributed over Europe. In spring it utters a sweet and surprisingly loud song.

Golden-Crested Wren

Also known as the Kinglet, the Golden-Crested Wren (Regulus cristatus) is the smallest of European birds.…

<i>Spathura underwoodi</i>. The <i>Spathura</i> is a "remarkable genus of <i>Trochilidae</i>, containing hummingbirds with the lateral tail-feathers, long-exerted, narrowed, and then dilated into a spatule or racket at the end, and with conspicuous leg muffs." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Racket-Tailed Hummingbird

Spathura underwoodi. The Spathura is a "remarkable genus of Trochilidae, containing hummingbirds with…

Jungle-fowl is a general name given to the members of the genus Gallus. The red jungle-fowl, G. jerrugineus, is the origin of the domesticated breeds of poultry. It inhabits India, Farther India, Sumatra, the Philippines, Celebes, and Timor, and strongly resembles the 'black-breasted game' variety of domesticated birds, with its fine orange or purplish-red upper surface, and greenish-black wings, tail, and under surface. Though excessively pugnacious in the wild state, polygamy is stated to be then rare. Three other species of jungle-fowl are known: the gray jungle-fowl of S. Central, and W. India (G. Sonnerati), G. Lafayettii of Ceylon, and G. varius of Java, Lombok, and Flores; but all these are stated to be sterile when mated with the common fowl.

Jungle-fowl

Jungle-fowl is a general name given to the members of the genus Gallus. The red jungle-fowl, G. jerrugineus,…

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it."

Wing of Kamichi, or Crested Screamer

"The feathers are horny productions, consisting of a hollow tube or barrel and a stem rising from it."

"Fig. 23 - A feather from the tail of a kingbird, Tyrannus carolinensis, almost entirely pennaceous; no after-shaft. A feather fit for writing with." Elliot Coues, 1884

A Feather from the Tail of a Kingbird

"Fig. 23 - A feather from the tail of a kingbird, Tyrannus carolinensis, almost entirely pennaceous;…

"Hanging lamp from Nushagak in Southern Alaska. It is suspended from the framework of the tent by cords. Oils and fats from northern animals give a clear and steady light, and Eskimo lamps are frequently praised by travelers." -Bodmer, 1917

Eskimo Lamp

"Hanging lamp from Nushagak in Southern Alaska. It is suspended from the framework of the tent by cords.…

"The Lyre-bird of Australia, Menura superba, to show the unique lyrate shape of the tail." "... the male of the lyre-bird, in which the feathers are anomalous both in shape and in texture, and the resulting form of the whole is unique." Elliot Coues, 1884

Lyre-bird

"The Lyre-bird of Australia, Menura superba, to show the unique lyrate shape of the tail." "... the…

<i>Scytalopus magellanicus</i>. "A genus of South American formicarioid passerine birds, of the family <i>Pteroptochidae</i>. <i>S. magellanicus</i> is curiously similar to wrens in general appearance and habits, though belonging to a different suborder of birds." —Whitney, 1889 <p>This illustration features a darkly colored bird sitting on a branch with small leaves.

Magellanic Tapaculo

Scytalopus magellanicus. "A genus of South American formicarioid passerine birds, of the family Pteroptochidae.…

Illustration of the head of an osprey, a larger bird of prey.

Head of an Osprey

Illustration of the head of an osprey, a larger bird of prey.

<i>Nyctea scandiaca</i>." The great white or snowy owl, <i>Strix nyctea</i> or <i>Nyctea scandiaca</i>, inhabiting arctic and northerly regions of both hemispheres, and having the plumage more or less white." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snow Owl

Nyctea scandiaca." The great white or snowy owl, Strix nyctea or Nyctea scandiaca, inhabiting arctic…

"A plume of feathers, generally those of the peacock, set upright, so as to form a crest. The Panache was almost always regarded as a crest."—Aveling, 1891

Panache

"A plume of feathers, generally those of the peacock, set upright, so as to form a crest. The Panache…

"Besides flight, birds possess other means of locomotion, being formed for walking, swimming or flying, according as their habits are aerial, terrestrial or aquatic."

Wing of a Penguin

"Besides flight, birds possess other means of locomotion, being formed for walking, swimming or flying,…

Found in New Guinea, the grand promerops is renowned for its beautiful plumage.

Grand Promerops

Found in New Guinea, the grand promerops is renowned for its beautiful plumage.

The winter plumage of a Ptarmigan, a grouse of the genus Lagopus. Usually a light reddish brown tint, it becomes pure white except for a black, white tipped tail in the winter months.

Rock Ptarmigan Winter Plumage

The winter plumage of a Ptarmigan, a grouse of the genus Lagopus. Usually a light reddish brown tint,…

A transparent body, with usually three sides and two equal and parallel triangular ends or bases.

Quill

A transparent body, with usually three sides and two equal and parallel triangular ends or bases.

The winter plumage of a Ptarmigan, a grouse of the genus Lagopus. Usually a light reddish brown tint, it becomes pure white except for a black, white tipped tail in the winter months.

Rock Ptarmigan Summer Plumage

The winter plumage of a Ptarmigan, a grouse of the genus Lagopus. Usually a light reddish brown tint,…

"A duck, <i>Fuligula</i> or <i>Fulix marila</i> and related species. The common scaup inhabits Europe, Asia, and North America. It is from 18 to 20 inches long, and from 30 to 35 in extent of wings." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>In this illustration the duck is sitting on placid water, its feet tucked up underneath its body. Its head and upper body is dark, while its belly is white. There is a tree line in the distance.

Scaup, a Common Duck

"A duck, Fuligula or Fulix marila and related species. The common scaup inhabits Europe, Asia, and North…

"In Greek mythology, one of two, or three, or an indeterminate number of sea-nymphs who by their singing fascinated those who sailed by their island, and destroyed them. In works of art they are represented as having the head, arms, and generally the bust of a young woman, the wings and lower part of the body, or sometimes only the feet, of a bird." &mdash;Whitney, 1889. <p>This illustration is of two of the sirens depicted on a funeral marble in Chios. The top siren appears to be dancing. The one on the bottom is playing an instrument.

Sirens on a Greek Funeral Marble

"In Greek mythology, one of two, or three, or an indeterminate number of sea-nymphs who by their singing…

"The so-called green jackdaw of Asia, <i>Cissa sinensis</i>. The sirgang inhabits the southeastern Himalayan region, and thence through Burma to Tasserim, and has occasioned much literature." &mdash;Whitney, 1889 <p>The bird is perched on a branch with a few leaves.

Sirgang

"The so-called green jackdaw of Asia, Cissa sinensis. The sirgang inhabits the southeastern Himalayan…

<i>Circaetus gallicus</i> is a "bird of prey inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and thence eastward to the whole of the Indian peninsula and part of the Malay archipelago. The male is 26 inches long; the female, 30 inches; the pointed wings are more than half as long again as the tail; the tarsi are mostly naked; the nostrils are oval perpendicularly; the head is crested with lanceolate feathers; and in the adult the breast is white, streaked with brown." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Snake Buzzard, Also Called a Short-Toed Eagle

Circaetus gallicus is a "bird of prey inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, and…

"Ammodramus. Seaside Sparrow. Bill remarkably slender and lengthened for this family, with culmen toward end, gonys straight, and sometimes an evident lobation of the cutting edge of the upper mandible. Wings short and rounded, yet longer than tail; inner secondaries, though not elongate, reaching nearly to end of primaries when wing is closed; point formed by 2d-4th quills. Feet large and stout, reaching outstretched about to the end of tail; tarsus about equal to middle toe and claw in length; lateral toes of equal lengths, very short, their claws under reaching base of middle claw. Tail shorter or not longer than wings, much rounded, of narrow, stiffish, sharp-pointed feathers. Embracing small streaky marsh sparrows, especially of the sea-coast, but not exclusively maritime, as long supposed; remarkable for slenderness of the bill, sharp narrow tail-feathers, and stout feet fitted for grasping slender swaying reeds. Edge of wing bright yellow; a yellow spot of buff stripe on head; upper parts olive-gray or quite blackish, streaky." Elliot Coues, 1884

The Details of a Seaside Sparrow

"Ammodramus. Seaside Sparrow. Bill remarkably slender and lengthened for this family, with culmen toward…

"Generic details of a Myiadestes townsendi (Townsend's Flycatching Thrush); bill and foot nat. size, wing and tail 3/4ths."

Generic Details of a Thrush

"Generic details of a Myiadestes townsendi (Townsend's Flycatching Thrush); bill and foot nat. size,…

"WINGS ERECT. Wings are called erect when their long feathers point upwards." -Hall, 1862

Wings Erect

"WINGS ERECT. Wings are called erect when their long feathers point upwards." -Hall, 1862

"WINGS INVERTED. When the feathers point downwards." -Hall, 1862

Wings Inverted

"WINGS INVERTED. When the feathers point downwards." -Hall, 1862

This late 19th century winter dress is designed with a cape that is worn over the dress and a scarf. The lady is also wearing a tied ribbon on her head with feathers in the center.

Late 19th Century Winter Dress

This late 19th century winter dress is designed with a cape that is worn over the dress and a scarf.…