The examination of the wings of a Sparrow, recently taken from the nest when about ten days old, seems clearly to indicate that the so-called outer carpal covert replaces the tenth primary covert, and is homologous to that covert (which is absent); it certainly is identical with the feather which we accept as the tenth covert in the Canary and in other true Finches, as, for instance, in the Virginian Cardinal.
In the Icteridæ, which are said to differ from the Starlings in having only nine primaries, we have found the first primary in the Silky Cowbird, Brown-headed Troupial, Bobolink, Tedbreasted Marsh-bird, Military and Yellow-shouldered Troupials, and Brazilian Hangnest; indeed, the first primary, with its upper covert, are so conspicuous in these large birds, that they can frequently be seen without even using a needle to separate them from the second primary. In the Motacillidæ, where the first primary is very small and lies close to the second, it might easily be overlooked, but that a feather nearly (if not quite) half an inch long should have escaped observation is inexplicable.
