TUE FEATHER-TRACTS OF NORTH AMERICAN GROUSE AND QUAIL. By Hubert Lyman Clark, Ph. D., Instructor in Zoology, Jmherst College. Some years ago the examination of some of our Eastern game birds aroused my interest in the pterylography of the Gallinie, and I deter-mined to study the pteryloses of as many of the birds of that group as could be i)r()cured, my hope being to examine specimens of every North American S[)ecies. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1802, a systeanatic effort to obtain the desired material in the form of fresli or alcoholic birds was begun. It seemed best not to use skins under any circum-stances for the main features of the pterylosis, on account of tlie dis-tortion unavoidable in their preparation. Owing to the rarity of some species and the difficulty of obtaining others, it proved imi^ossible to carry out the original plan, and the examination of all the North American genera has been substituted for it. That a certain measure of success has been possible, is due to the great courtesy and kindness which has been shown by those to whom application for assistance in procuring birds was made. Every person to whom I have written for birds has gone to no little trouble to accommodate me, and in some cases my indebtedness to these friends is greater than can be repaid, and this is the more remarkable, since in nearly every instance my cor-respondent and I were comi)lete strangers to each other. Under each genus I have credited the material to the jjersons from whom it was received, and to all of them I herewitli extend my hearty thanks. But there are a few to whom I am under peculiar obligations, and to them more especial thanks are due. To Dr. Mortimer Jesurun, of Douglas, Wyoming, I owe not only some of my best material but the most unusual courtesy in details connected with collecting and shii)ping the birds; to Mr. Frederic A. Lucas and Dr. R. W. Shuleldt, of Washington, I am indebted for important suggestions; to Mr. R. Ridgway and Dr. C. W, Richmond, of the United States National Museum, for many favors connected with the collections of Nortli American (jalliniu; to Dr. J. A. Allen, of New York City, for assistance in synonymy and identification ; to Mr. G. W. Mackay, of Boston, Massachusetts, for his efforts to pro-Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. XXI— No. 1166. Proc. N. M. vol. xxi 41 641
BioStor
