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Definition of Terms

- The accompanying figure with its named parts will explain the meaning of the terms used in the following descriptions of birds. The words, upper parts and under parts, mentioned so frequently, refer respectively to the whole upper or under surfaces of the body of the bird from the base of the bill to the root of the tail, but are not applied to either wings or tail. There are infinite variations in the markings of feathers, and those figured present only the patterns most frequently met with. The shaft of the feather is the midrib, to either side of which the vanes or webs are attached.