The Structure of the Feathers in Chlorophanes and Iridophanes (Coerebidae).

Summary. Structurally coloured feathers from the Coerebid Chlorophanes show atypical features. These may be connected with different conditions of compressibility during development, as compared with typical feathers and mammalian fibres; there, cortex is more compressible than medulla. The atypical cortex has a special function in connection with the structural shade. The conditions in Iridophanes are similar to those in Chlorophanes , but less marked. Close relationship between these two genera, as suggested by earlier authors, is therefore confirmed.