Parsons nose

Posted by Bob on May 02, 2003

In Reply to: Parsons nose posted by Bob on May 02, 2003

: : : Can anyone tell me about the term parsons nose? Someone told me it means the butt of a chicken?

: : : Thanks,

: : : Dan

: : Also called the Pope's nose, its anatomical name is the pygostyle. It contains the fused caudal vertebrae and is the part of a bird to which the tail feathers are attached. Its swollen appearence is because it contains the oil glands that birds use when preening.

The Pope's nose, the Parson's nose ... and in the Middle East, the Sultan's nose. (Apparently there's a universal need to bring authority figures down to ... well, a chicken's bottom.)