Part 170

PRONA´TION, n. A particular movement of the radius upon the ulna, by which the hand turns over,—in birds it is very slight, if it occur at all. The reverse movement is termed supination. The muscles effecting it are pronators and supinators.

PROÖT´IC, a. for n. An element of the auditory capsule.

PROSENCEPH´ALON, n. A certain tract of the brain, the third from behind.

PRO´TOPLASM, n. Primitive common embryonic tissue, out of which different organs and parts are formed.

PROTOVER´TEBRÆ, n. pl. First trace of the backbones.

PROTRAC´TILE, PROTRU´SILE, a. Susceptible of being thrust forward or out, as the tongue of most woodpeckers.

PROVENTRIC´ULUS, n. Part of gullet, usually enlarged, next to gizzard, having solvent glands for digestion. It is the true stomach of a bird, as distinguished from the gizzard or grinding stomach.

PROX´IMAL, a. Proximate; nearest or next to any centre or axis. Opposed to distal or terminal.

PSILOPÆ´DES, n. pl. A group of psilopædic birds, further distinguished by being born weak and helpless, fed and reared in the nest. The term gymnopædes is synonymous.

PSILOPÆ´DIC, a. Having down growing only from the future pterylæ, as the precursor of the future plumage, to which it is subsequently affixed for a while and then falls off.

PSO´AS, n. Name of certain pelvic muscles.

PTERAPOPH´YSIS, n. Certain process of cranial bones.

PTER´NA, n. Heel-pad. (115.)

PTERO´MATA, n. pl. (This word is of uncertain meaning.) (89 ?)

PTER´YGOID (bone), n. A slender bone connecting the quadrate with the palatine.

PTER´YLA, n.; pl. pterylæ. Area or tract on the skin where feathers grow.

PTERYLOG´RAPHY, n. A description of the plumage, especially with reference to the distribution of the feathers on the skin.

PTERYLO´SIS, n. Plumage, considered with reference to its distribution on the skin.

PTI´LA, n. (This word is of uncertain meaning.) (86 ?)

PTILOPÆ´DES, n. pl. Ptilopædic birds. Such are generally able to run about at birth, or at least to feed themselves. Dasypædes is synonymous.

PTILOPÆ´DIC, a. Clothed at birth with floccus, which sprouts not only from the future pterylæ, but also from apteria.

PTILO´SIS, n. Plumage. (3.)

PU´BIC, a. Pertaining to the pubis.

PU´BIS, n. The most anterior bone of the pelvis. In birds the ossa pubis or pubes are separate, there being no pubic symphysis, and directed more or less backward.

PUL´LUS, n. A chick; young bird, before its first complete plumage.

PUL´MONARY, a. Pertaining to the lungs; relating to respiration.

PUL´SUS, PULSE, n. Beating of the arteries.

PUNC´TATE, a. Dotted; pitted; studded with points.